Clinton Raceway put the finishing touches on its 2009 racing season on Sunday, and a record number of fans were treated to Clinton Raceway's 28th annual Charity Drivers' Challenge and the Ray McLean Memorial
.
Mark MacDonald captured the drivers’ challenge thanks to a four-win performance on the 13-race card. Doug McNair, who enjoyed a three-win performance, was the runner-up in this year’s event.
The reinsmen, who donated their driving fees for the day, and the fans in attendance raised more than $9,000 for the Central Huron Secondary School's Challenge Day. That day-long event, which was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006, provides teens and adults with the tools to tear down the walls of separation and inspires participants to live, study and work in an encouraging environment of acceptance, love and respect. Clinton Raceway has committed its next two Charity Drivers' Challenges to this worthwhile cause.
Donegal Gerald brushed to the lead shortly past the quarter pole to take home top prize in the $20,000 Ray McLean Memorial for owner John Foran of Newmarket, ON. The five-year-old son of Rambaran overtook Keystone Mystique shortly after the opening panel flashed up in :28.2. Once he cleared to the top he laid down middle splits of :56.2 and 1:26.1 before rolling home in :29.4 for the 1:56 score over Monster In Law and Button Up.
Tony Kerwood mapped out the winning trip for the Dave Matson trainee, who was sent off as the 6-5 favourite in the eight-horse affair. The gelding has assembled an impressive 8-7-4 record in 26 trips postward this season, while racking up more than $120,000 in the process. The 22-time winner has banked $246,205 to date.
Twilight Baron, a seven-year-old son of Rambaran, was much the best one race earlier in the $10,000 Preferred for the duo of trainer Brent Belore and driver Doug McNair. The pacer stopped the clock in 1:55.3 en route to defeating Destiny Rides and My Secret Beau.
G And C Stables of Mount Elgin, ON holds the papers on the 22-time winner, who has put together a 2-2-1 record in seven starts this season. He is closing in on $250,000 in career earnings.
Two hardworking handicappers also earned spots to the $25,000 Trot Canada National Handicapping Championship on Sunday afternoon. Billy Tugwell and Dustin McClure will be representing Clinton Raceway at the event, which takes place at Rideau Carleton Raceway in November.
(With files from Clinton Raceway)
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click here.