The trip was sweet and the end result was even sweeter for Kendal Gustav who erupted for a 22-1 upset in Monday’s $11,000 Preferred 2 for pacers at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Lorne House carved out a second over trip for Kendal Gustav in the featured event, and the gelding did the rest en route to an easy score in the eight-horse affair. Kendal Gustav got away fifth before slipping to the outside and grabbing cover for the back-half of the contest.
Clic K steamrolled through solid panels of :27.1, :56.4 and 1:26 before coming to a walk by the time the field turned for home. Smokin Bear was first-over and driving at that leader in the final half of the mile, and hot on his heels was the eventual winner. Kendal Gustav kicked home in :30 en route to winning by 2-1/2 lengths over Rays San in 1:56.2. Smokin Bear managed to hold on for third prize.
Trainer Scott McNiven co-owns the five-year-old son of Life Sign-City Of Dreams with Tom Brodhurst and Shirley Griffin, and collectively they’ve watched the gelding racked up 19 lifetime wins while stashing away close to $130,000 in career earnings.
Just two races earlier it was Slots Of Fun turning in a front-stepping score in the $7,350 Preferred 3 for horse and gelding pacers. Driver/co-owner Alfie Carroll hustled the six-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear-High Pressure through panels of :28.1, :58.4 and 1:29.2 before sprinting home in :29.3 to win by a half-length margin over Leafs And Wings in 1:59. Stoney Durkin, who was eighth at the head of the lane, came on strong to finish third.
Richard Carroll trains the 18-time winner, who is now 2-for-3 this season. He boosted his overall cash stash to $115,223 with the win.
Savthelstdancforme captured the $7,000 Preferred 3 for trotters for the second week in-a-row, and he did so with authority for catch-driver Tyler Borth. The eight-year-old son of Striking Sahbra-Iam Worthy Too chopped out fractions of :29.2, 1:00.2 and 1:30 before coasting home in :30.3 to win by three lengths over Windsun Fireball in 2:00.3. Sonny Vale came first-over and finished a distant third.
Ashley Duford trains the 14-time winner for Dennis Duford of Dresden, Ontario. The trotter has managed to bank $122,887 to date.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.