The trotters had their turn in the City Of London Series with the opening leg comprised of three $8,000 divisions on Friday, May 17 at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Trainer Mark Etsell's Mass Money (Muscle Mass-P L Gemstone) was the fastest winner in the first round, topping the fillies and mares in 2:01.2 and improving to two-for-two in her sophomore season after going winless in five as a freshman. Driven by Scott Young, the favoured Etsell trainee bided her time in third before wearing down race leader Moxiebow in the stretch to win by half a length, with pocket-sitter Tymal Contessa following in third.
Three-year-olds Buttinski and Captain Wania posted matching 2:01.4 miles in a pair of divisions for male trotters, both scoring in front-end fashion. Unraced as a two-year-old, Buttinski (Lookslikeachpndale-Dance Hall Wendy) is now two-for-six for the training and driving tandem of Mary and Todd Ratchford, the former Ratchford also co-owns with Cynthia Graham. Captain Wania (Resolve-Miss Everything), who was coming off a runner-up finish in the Ontario Sired Spring Series final at Woodbine Mohawk Park, is now four-for-12 in his debut season for trainer Shannon Henry. Travis Henry picked up the winning catch-drive on that gelding for his uncle's Trevor Henry Stables Inc. and partners James Fleming and David Hudson.
The City Of London Series is for Ontario-sired horses four years old and younger that were non-winners of $10,000 lifetime as of midnight March 1, 2024. The trotters will return to compete in their second leg of the series next Friday, May 24, with the $20,000 (added) finals for all divisions scheduled for Friday, May 31.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Western Fair Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada; Photo of Captain Wania from a previous win at Woodbine Mohawk Park)