After having been rained out one week ago, the third annual Vic Hayter Memorial Trot was the featured event of Clinton Raceway’s Sunday (July 29) card of live racing, and it was P C Dream Ticket’s day to shine.
After having started from Post 2 in the eight-horse affair, P C Dream Ticket ($6.90) and driver Colin Kelly opted to let some of their foes mix it up in the early stages.
The Post 1 starter, Bella Palazzo (driven by Bruce Richardson), who lowered the stakes record to 1:59 in her 2017 Hayter Memorial victory, fired out the best, as she led the field down to the quarter pole in :29.3.
The second quarter saw Irish Thunder (Tyler Moore) race overland early, but it was the Scott Young-driven All Out Henry who was up and pressuring Bella Palazzo on the engine at the :59.3 half-mile indicator.
Having waited long enough, Kelly moved the Jared Bako-trained P C Dream Ticket overland early in the third panel. The son of Cornaro Dasolo would go on to prove that he was in possession of a strong brush on this day.
Kelly had tipped P C Dream Ticket three-wide late in the quarter, and the eight-year-old gelding had a load of trot to display for the on-track fans after the 1:29 third call.
While positioned in the three-wide lane at the top of the stretch, Kelly took a quick look to his left before dropping P C Dream Ticket into another gear. The pair surged forward past the fellow leaders and went on to record a strong 1:59 victory. The win time equalled Bella Palazzo’s stakes mark from 2017.
All Out Henry, who was the subject of a judge’s inquiry, stayed up for second. The Pat Hudon-driven Amityville Lindy came on late for third. The final two purse cheques went to Bella Palazzo and Irish Thunder, respectively.
P C Dream Ticket is owned by Jared Bako, Taylor Fritz, Christopher Jewitt and John Gray. The winner’s share of the $12,500 purse pushed P C Dream Ticket’s seasonal earnings past the $17,000 mark. He has now won three of his 10 seasonal assignments and 12 of his 72 career starts. He has now banked more than $119,000 in lifetime purses.
Family of the late Vic Hayter were on hand to make the winner's circle presentation to the connections.
The Lake Huron Pony Club held its ‘Day at the Races’ Fundraiser and worked together with the two charities – Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society and the Stratford Perth Humane Society, two causes very near and dear to the late Vic Hayter – from the previous rained-out Sunday. The Pony Club was able to raise over $3,400 from the event through a BBQ, bake sale, raffle and 50/50.
Race fans were also treated to two miniature horse exhibition races and a meet and greet with the pint-sized ponies, and the second of three trackside local markets added to the day's festivities.
The Huron County Oval took time to celebrate the caretakers of the industry with winner's circle presentations, complimentary lunches and prize draws, while the impressive live race handle topped the $44,000 mark.
The National Caretaker Appreciation events also took place Sunday. All of the caretakers on the day’s race card were provided with lunch, courtesy of the raceway and the Hayter family. All caretakers in attendance had the chance to win some great prizes, and those that visited the winner's circle were provided with a print, from harness artist Michelle Hogan and a commemorative photo.
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Clinton, click the following link: Sunday Results – Clinton Raceway.
(With files from Ontario Racing)