The Manitoba Great Western Stakes for sophomore male pacers was the featured attraction during the Miami Fair’s program of live racing on Sunday (July 28), as a pair of eliminations took place prior to the final, which were contested just a few races later. In addition to the stakes, the card was also highlighted by a reinsman notching his first career pari-mutuel win.
The first of the elims faced the gate for Race 3, and it was the Lorraine Rey-trained and Dean Rey-driven Charlies Dragon ($3.00) that got the job done in 2:03.3. The Charms Shark colt left from Post 5, cut the fractions (:30.1, 1:01.1, 1:32) and held on to post a one and a half-length victory. Popcorn Jimmy (who was driven by Blake Piwniuk) closed hard from fifth, but just ran out of racetrack and had to settle for second. Heartlandbanysbro (Darryl Mason) rounded out the triactor. Lorraine Rey, of St. Claude, MB, also owns Charlies Dragon.
The second elim (Race 4) saw the Don Howlett-trained and driven Saskabush Steve ($2.90) leave from Post 4 and record a gate-to-wire win in 2:01.1. The Lambretta gelding cut the fractions in :30.1, 1:02.1 and 1:32 before pacing under the wire first, three lengths the best. Backatthetrack, who had chased from the pocket for driver Dean Rey, finished second, while the Garett Isman-driven Dont Rock The Boat finished third. Saskabush Steve is owned by Wanda Howlett, of Winnipeg, MB, and Dwayne Taylor, of Minto, MB.
Although he had come up just short in his opening-heat performance, Backatthetrack ($19.90) was the one that ultimately won the $3,954 final of the Manitoba Great Western Stakes (Race 8). The Whatayasay colt had come first-up from second in the third quarter and had initially finished second to Saskabush Steve in 2:03.3. Afterward, the presiding judges conducted an inquiry in the race, which resulted in multiple placings. The judges elevated Backatthetrack up to first, as Saskabush Steve – who had made a huge recovery after early breaks – was demoted to eighth. Heartlandbanysbro (Darryl Mason) finished third-placed-second, while Charlies Dragon (Dean Rey) was fourth-placed-third. Backatthetrack is owned by Lorraine Rey, of St. Claude, MB.
One race later (Race 9), twenty-nine-year-old reinsman Daryl Thiessen recorded his first career pari-mutuel driving victory, as he steered Red Star Tiger ($2.10) to a wire-to-wire win in 1:59.2.
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Miami, click the following link: Sunday Results - Miami.