After being overpowered by Sinatra De Vie a week ago, William and Sarah MacMillan's Coventry Hall landed back in the win column with a 1:57.1 victory in the $15,278 Open Handicap Trot at Ocean Downs on Wednesday, July 31.
Trae Porter was in no hurry early with Coventry Hall, floating him into fifth from his assigned outside post in the seven-horse field. After Gotta Habit and Judge Bob duelled to a :57 half, Porter set Coventry Hall into motion with seven-sixteenths to go and urged him three-wide into the final turn. The seven-year-old Cash Hall-Canland Hall gelding emerged with the lead turning for home and prevailed by three-quarters of a length over Judge Bob. Gotta Habit was a game third.
Michael Hall trains 11-time winner Coventry Hall, who now has won four of 15 starts this season. The winner paid $3 as the 1-2 favourite.
Porter led all drivers with three wins on the 11-race card.
Live harness racing at Ocean Downs resumes on Thursday, Aug. 1. Post time is 7:05 p.m.
(Ocean Downs)