John Campbell, the richest and arguably one of the greatest harness racing sulky sitters of all-time, had no problem driving away from a number of fellow Hall-of-Famers in Sunday’s Legends Day Trot
at Clinton Raceway.
The native of Ailsa Craig, ON, who now resides in River Vale, NJ, teamed up with the Andy Hardy-trained New Dice Please to capture the $20,000 tilt by three lengths in a time of 1:59.1. Hardy, unfortunately, wasn't available to take in the afternoon action. He was resting at home after recently undergoing surgery.
So whatever groom Amy hardy, told John Campbell about No Dice Please in the paddock right before the race surely didn’t hurt.
“Oh, I feel funny telling you about him,” she was overheard to say, meekly deferring to Campbell’s unequalled driving reputation. “No,” Campbell responded encouragingly, “I want you to tell me about him.”
Campbell shot into the four-hole from post seven as the gate sped away, while Clint Galbraith hustled Nobananas to the engine. Galbraith and his charge led the field through panels of :29.3 and :59.3 before feeling pressure from Twin B Excalibur and Ray Remmen up the backstretch for the final time.
Galbraith and Nobananas still had the lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:29.4, but Campbell was perfectly spotted from second over with New Dice Please, who vaulted off the helmet he was following and used a :28.4 final frame to win in 1:59.1. Nobananas held on for the runner-up award, and third prize went to Meadowview Matty and driver Bud Fritz.
Bill Manes, Robert Little, Paul Sabourin and Bill Cripps share ownership on the seven-year-old son of Donerail, who is now a 26-time winner that has banked close to $280,000.
The Legends Day undercard also provided fans with a plethora of Preferred events for pacers and trotters.
Travelswithcharlie was a gate-to-wire winner in a time of 2:02 in the $11,000 Preferred-2 Trot for the tandem of driver Nick Steward and trainer Ken Pollard. The Angus Hall miss laid down panels of :29.3, 1:01 and 1:31 before finishing off her foes with a :31-second final frame. Twin B Sporty was second and Corkemup finished third. Steven Besterd of London, ON holds the papers on the career winner of $125,292.
Button Up also used front-stepping tactics to take home top prize in the $11,000 Preferred-2 for pacers. Mike Horner parked to the quarter pole in :28.2 before finding the lead and laying down splits of :58.2 and 1:27.4 with the Mark Horner trainee. The son of Northern Luck used a :29.2 closing panel to win by a neck in a time of 1:57.1. Kesons Sergei was second and Front Nine rounded out the top three. Owned by the Sure Gain Stable of Mitchell, ON, Button Up won for the 19th time in his career and pushed his earnings to $493,799 with the victory.
My Ideal rallied from just off the pace to take home the lion’s share of the purse in the $10,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred for driver Brad Watt. The daughter of Western Ideal drew off to win by more than a length in a time of 1:57. Trace Of Luck grabbed the silver medal, and Shami Cami grabbed the bronze. Trainer Blake MacIntosh co-owns the 12-time winner with Wayne MacIntosh of Orillia, ON. She has banked more than $87,000 to date.
Gunsmoke VMW turned a pocket trip into a five and a half-length score for the team of driver Trevor Henry and trainer Paul Taylor. The son of Western Maverick stopped the teletimer in 1:57.2 en route to defeating Regular Terror and Noble Seelster. The victory pushed the pacer’s lifetime earnings over $90,000 for the VMW Stables JV of Komoka, ON.
Although final figures aren’t yet available on the fundraising aspect, Clinton GM Ian Fleming couldn’t have been more pleased with the Legends celebration, citing a terrific crowd and great weather.
“It’s really wonderful how people come together on something like this,” he said, “Not only the Legends, but all the owners, trainers and so many others who pitch in to make a day like this possible.”
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click here.