Returning to action from a five-week spell, Fork ($5.20) made every call a winning one in Wednesday evening’s (Jan. 24) $11,500 Preferred 2 trotting event at The Raceway at Western Fair District, living up to favoured billing and claiming victory for the third time in his last four starts.
Bruce Richardson put the nine-year-old Southfork gelding in play from the outset, but the pair had to work to clear Wildwild Men (Scott Young) midway on the first turn. After forcing Wildwild Men into the pocket, Fork controlled comfortable early splits of :29.2 and :59.4 over good going. Fork started to edge clear up the far side on the second occasion, leaving Wildwild Men behind temporarily while Holiday Party (Alfie Carroll) took up a first-over chase.
After dismissing Holiday Party with a :29.3 third sectional, Fork had to contend with further challenges from a resurgent Wildwild Men and his stablemate and older full brother Seeyou Men (Robert Shepherd), who circled three-wide on the far turn. Fork held them both at bay, driven out through the final sixteenth to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.2. Seeyou Men narrowly bested his brother Wildwild Men for the runner-up spot.
Sarah Scott owns and trains Fork, who won for the 16th time in his career in his Western Fair debut.
Fluff Me Up ($6.60) withstood mild sustained pressure from All Out Henry and repelled a late push from pocket rival Ionia to take the sub-featured $8,500 Preferred 3 in 1:59.2. Robert Shepherd drove the seven-year-old ABC Garland gelding for trainer Mike Weller and the Pod Stable, LLC.
To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.