It was a night of big races at Cornerstone Raceway in Yorkton with five feature races, and a new track record
.
It was also a big night for Blake Piwniuk and his grandmother Elaine Bell. Piwniuk won three from the driver's seat, two trained by Bell, who recorded three wins of her own.
Bell was smiling after the races. "It was very big. It was huge," she said of the wins.
While never sure of wins, Bell said she did feel good going into the night. "They all trained good this week, and were all shod-up," she said. "I thought they all had a shot. They had good post positions."
It was also a near perfect night, warm, under a cloudless sky. "It was a great night for racing," said Bell, who said the heat and good track conditions helped the horses. "...But when you win a couple of races it's always good."
Bell said having her grandson driving some of her horses is of course special. "He gets along good with my horses," she said.
Piwniuk was also smiling. "It was a good night again," he said, then quickly thanking his grandmother and grandfather (Laurie Bell) for the drives that led to wins.
The first win for the pairing came in the Saskatchewan Horse Federation Feature, where Piwniuk took the Bell-trained Right On Willie to top spot over Glenn LeDrew with Kinset Hanover and Edward Tracey with Ashley Rocks.
"He's a very nice horse," said Bell, adding he is just coming into form. "He got hurt in qualifiers right in the spring, but he's a nice horse when he's right."
Pulling the number seven position, the rail trailer sport, Piwniuk got away well and was in good position throughout en route to a 2:02.2 victory.
"It was a good easy steer," he said, adding he knew he was in position to be top-two.
Piwniuk was back in the very next race to take the opening half of the Saskatchewan Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association Prairie Lace with Marlowe in 2:00.4. Brian Gray with Stagger Lee was second, with Donald Tracey and Jomars Tami in third.
"The Marlowe race was really special," said Bell. "She's a nice mare that's had some bad trips. She deserved the win."
Piwniuk said he had a game plan going in, knowing he was in tough against Gray and Stagger Lee. He said he knew he had to have position late "and use all we had left to beat that mare."
With a purse of $4,500, Piwniuk noted, "Gray knew that, and knows what he's doing. He gets along well with that mare [Stagger Lee]. But Marlowe was the one today. She's no slouch. She's game."
Piwniuk came just short of taking the second half of the SSBOA Prairie Lace, ending up in the place position with Weinrichtimes, behind Tyler Redwood and Power Maid (2:00.4). LeDrew was in the show spot with Dal Reo Indy.
Piwniuk did get a third win with Sergeirachpaninoff in the final race of the night, a horse he also trains.
The $3,000 Saskatchewan Horse Federation Open Pace saw a new track record for older male pacers established at 1:58.4 by Tajwon and driver Richard Remillard, over Gregory Manning and Drummheller, and Tyler Redwood with Black Mac.
The time of the mile was four-fifths of a second off the all-age track record, held by pacing mare Outlaw Watch Me.
The Northeastern Seed Co. Ltd. - The House Feature was the last of the big races on the nine-race card, with Bell getting her third trainer win as Glenn LeDrew drove Abbafun to top spot.
In the first race of the night, Don Tracy with Tax Trap and Tyler Redwood with G GS Dominator clicked wheels and both ended up out of the race.
For results from Friday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Friday Results - Yorkton Exhibition.
(Trot Insider exclusive by Calvin Daniels)