The fourth round of the Slots Cup Series produced a pair of new winners as Random Mission and Windsong Harley prevailed for the narrow victories in their respective $15,000 divisions on Saturday night at Hanover Raceway.
Undefeated in the first three legs of the series, Dan Creighton trainee Royal Outlook (Trevor Henry) was looking for his fourth in a row off a pocket trip, however, the Paul Taylor-conditioner Random Mission rallied home from off the pace to nip him by a nose in a career-best time of 1:55.2 in rein to Travis Bowman. Rustlin Cam (Bob McClure) finished three lengths behind in third over pacesetter Addwater (Todd Budd).
The 12-1 longshot paid $27.40 to win for the third time in 13 seasonal starts. The three-year-old Modern Art gelding, who picked up a pair of cheques in two prior series starts, is owned by Richard Grenier of London, Ont.
Windsong Harley, driven by four-time winning reinsman Bruce Richardson, went wire-to-wire in the other division, holding off Jettison (Trevor Henry) by a head in 1:56 flat while the popular pocket-sitter Peruvian Star (Mark Etsell) finished just a half-length behind in third.
Windsong Harley paid $5.50 to win as the slight second choice. The four-year-old Modern Art gleding hit the board in all three opening legs of the series prior to recording the fifth win of his 18-race season on Saturday for trainer Bud and Lindsey Sinclair of Stratford, Ont. and Russell Ellery of St. Pauls Station, Ont.
The Slots Cup Series, sponsored by Racetracks of Ontario Marketing & Promotions (ROMP), is for three and four-year-old Ontario sired pacers that are non-winners of $50,000 life as of January 15, 2012. The series will move to Grand River Raceway on August 10 for the fifth leg and then to Flamboro Downs on August 17 for the final preliminary round before culminating on September 8 at Hiawatha Horse Park with a $100,000 final.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.