Sent postward as the longest shot on the board, four-year-old pacing gelding William Ross defied his odds winning the featured $5,500 Preferred 4 Handicap Pace in wire-to-wire fashion on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 4) at Leamington Raceway.
With the inside post advantage, William Ross secured the lead off the wings of the gate for driver Jonathan Hahn and, once the parked out Dashiki (Nick Steward) was directed into the pocket, he remained clear on top the rest of the way with rivals stacking wide in vain as they tried to catch the longshot leader heading into the final turn. William Ross carved out fractions of :27.4, :57.1 and 1:27 en route to the career-best 1:57.1 victory. Homey Joe (Mark MacQuarrie), the 9-5 favourite, closed from the backfield for the runner-up honours, finishing 1-1/4 lengths behind the winner. Dashiki followed in third.
Moving up in class off a victory at the Leamington oval last weekend, William Ross was sent postward at odds of 7-1 and paid $17.70 for the upset.
The Sunshine Beach gelding notched his fourth win of the season from 24 starts for trainer Michael Rogers and owner Robert Watson of Windsor, Ont.
Spun From Magic also pulled off a 7-1 upset on Sunday while setting a new track record for aged trotting stallions in his Leamington debut for trainer Cassidy Schneider and owner Colonel Schneider Jr.
Driven by Natasha Day, the five-year-old son of Kadabra crossed to command from the outside post at the start and led his five foes through fractions of :28.3, :58.4 and 1:29.3 in a $4,500 condition trot before kicking away by 5-3/4 lengths for the 2:00 triumph. Jooner (Dennis Duford) and La Magic (Garrett Rooney) followed in second and third.
The former aged trotting stallion mark was held by Attitude Abe (2:03.4). Spun From Magic's winning time was one minute and three-fifths of a second off the overall male trot record set by gelding Costantino (1:58.2) in 2018.
The victory marked his third visit to the winner's circle this year from 20 starts. A six-time career winner, he's banked $77,085 in purses lifetime.
In addition to Sunday's on-track action, Leamington Raceway hosted family fun activities and bicycle giveaways as part of the Labour Day weekend Kids Day program.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.