Harness racing returned to Newfoundland on Sunday afternoon with the first of 10 programs slated for the 2013 season at St. John’s Racing and Entertainment Centre in Goulds.
Kevin Dillon, named Newfoundland's 2012 Rookie of the Year, is the early meet leader in 2013 after opening the season with a training triple.
Dillon won the first three of Sunday's seven races. He steered What Odds About It ($6.70) to a nose decision in the first before his trainees swept the top three spots in the second race field of four, led by the Frankie Joyce-driven The Magic Fit ($2.80). Dillon also guided Runsilentrundeep ($5.70) to a dominant victory in the third race with a stablemate coming in third.
The afternoon's featured $690 Preferred Pace went to wire-to-wire winner Machthemoment ($8.80) and trainer/driver Terrence Williams in 2:05.3 over a sloppy track. Dans Ideal and Dillon finished one length behind in second. The nine-year-old gelding earned his 38th career win. He is owned by Jeanette Newell of Coleys Point and Justin Newell of North Valley, Nfld.
Also on the card, Joanne Forward's Dustylane Wildbill, who was named last year's top two-year-old colt in the province, made his sophomore debut a winning one for the leading driver and trainer team of Shane and Scott Forward with a six and a half length romp in 2:06.2.
Live harness racing will continue each Sunday until October 13.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - St. John's Racing.