Jennifer Pinkerton couldn't have asked for a better Clinton Raceway debut for Scene A Magician ($6.60), who parried sustained pressure before edging clear to a 1:59 score in Sunday's (Aug. 30) $15,000 Vic Hayter Memorial Trot at the lakeside oval.
Scene A Magician's usual driver Greg Dustin had his work cut out for him early, as the six-year-old Daylon Magician gelding was among one of four to vie for the early lead. Scene A Magician proved best in that battle, clearing the pole-sitting Irish Thunder (Austin Sorrie) just past a :28.4 quarter. He was then nudged along by the first-over Sicario (Brett MacDonald) — who angled out from third — through middle splits of :58.4 and 1:28.2, but never saw his lead slip to less than a length.
Off the home turn, Scene A Magician asserted himself and was driven clear of Sicario, ultimately besting that rival by 2-1/4 lengths. Cheatalotpov (Tyler Moore) lifted off third-over cover to narrowly miss the runner-up spot.
It was the fourth seasonal win for Scene A Magician, and the 16th of his career.
Travis Henry had three driving wins on the afternoon card, leading up to his debut in the annual Charity Drivers' Challenge on Sept. 6. Henry teamed up with Arcane Seelster in the fourth, What Can I Say in the sixth, and Kempenfelt in race seven.
Handle remained strong once again, with just over $67,000 wagered on the 11-race card.
Caretakers were celebrated as part of Standardbred Canada's National Caretaker Appreciation Day initiative, and lunch was provided in the backstretch, courtesy of the Hayter Family and Clinton Raceway.
Eleven caretakers were randomly chosen as prize winners, with each receiving a $100 HPIbet card donated by C.O.S.A.
Emily Leak
Lindsey Sinclair
Penny Francis
James Johnston
Gary Wiseman
Kim Smith
David Halkes
Riley Simpson
Kim McNiven
Rebeca Masters
Erin Swainson Brickman
The finale of the 2020 season goes next Sunday (Sept. 6) and features the 40th annual Charity Drivers' Challenge as well as an Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots event two-year-old pacing fillies. The program gets underway at 1:30 p.m.
To view Sunday's complete results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Clinton Raceway.
(with files from Clinton Raceway)