Colin Kelly pressed the pedal to the floor with Its A Big Secret, and the Dean Nixon trainee kept on rolling en route to winning Monday’s $11,500 Preferred 2 for horse and gelding pacers at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Its A Big Secret fired to the top from Post 5 and carved out panels of :29.1, :59 and 1:28.4 before using a :29-second final frame to seal the deal by 2-1/2 lengths over race favourite National Debt in 1:57.4. Third prize went to Strato Boy.
Dean and Justin Nixon share ownership on the seven-year-old son of Matts Scooter-Its Dragon who won for the third time in his last four starts. The 22-time winner is closing in on $110,000 in lifetime earnings.
Reb The Raider knocked off the four foes he faced in the first of two $8,500 Preferred 3 events for horse and gelding pacers.
The gelding got away third for Natasha Day, who watched Brocks Fortune and Mister X battle to the quarter pole in :28.3. Mister X eventually worked his way to the lead, and he proceeded to chop out middle splits of :58.2 and 1:29. Reb The Raider came first-over on the way to the three-quarter pole, and he used a :30.4 closing frame to win by a length over Brocks Fortune in 2:00. Demachracy was third.
Colonel Schneider, Jr. trains the nine-year-old son of Rambaran-Ruby Raider for Cassidy Schneider of Arthur, Ont. The veteran won for the second time this season and for the 16th time in his career. He’s closing in on $125,000 in lifetime earnings.
Goldstar Badlands rallied from next-to-last to capture the other $8,500 Preferred 3 event for horse and gelding pacers.
With Scott Young in tow, the eight-year-old son of Badlands Hanover-Rockin Lady watched Reel slice out fractions of :29, :58.4 and 1:28.1 before going to work. Goldstar Badlands was third and parked at the three-quarter pole, but his :29.2 closing speed earned him the nose decision over Reel in 1:58.1. Rounding out the Trifecta ticket was Hidden Potential.
Heather Toll trains the veteran for owner Morley Bradshaw of Wilsonville, Ont. It was the first win of the season for the 32-time winner. The lion’s share of the loot lifted his career cash stash to $219,471.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.