Three divisions of the Saugeen Claming Series went to the starting gate on Wednesday evening at Hanover Raceway, and a number of mares were under the gun to come up with big efforts in order to advance to the final
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Souvenir De Toi used an off-the-pace approach to take the first division in a time of 1:58.1 for driver Bruce Richardson and trainer Alan Fair, who shares ownership on the four-year-old daughter of No Pan Intended with Cloah Fair of Ancaster, ON. After finishing sixth in the first leg of the series, the mare bounced back to defeat Reunion Girl and Twin B Godiva.
Hope Tobea Star finished third in the opening leg of the series for former trainer William Hope, but she roared away to win by more than seven lengths in her second leg assignment for new trainer Tom Williscraft. Trevor Henry rallied the six-year-old Rambaran miss to the career-best clocking of 1:57. She easily defeated Imarealsweetheart and Stylish Fit.
Grace And Harv was a 1:56.4 winner in last week’s opening leg of the series, and she made a round trip to victory lane thanks to a 1:57.4 score in her second leg assignment. Jonathan Drury, who co-owned the mare with Albina Montini and Darryl MacCannell, rolled the Anthony Montini trainee through fractions of :27.3, :59 and 1:27.4 before cruising home in :30 seconds to seal the deal in 1:57.4. Red Road Returns was second and Bossladymaamsir was third.
The five-year-old daughter of Dexter Nukes will shoot for the sweep of the series for David Carson and Lloyd Young, who claimed the mare for $15,000.
The $20,000 (added) final of the Saugeen Claiming Series is scheduled for Saturday, August 22 at Hanover Raceway.
To view Wednesday evening’s harness racing results, click here.