Upset Winners In London Preferreds

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Published: December 28, 2015 10:06 pm EST

Longshot players enjoyed a pair of double-digit upsets in the evening's Preferred events at The Raceway at the Western Fair District as winter weather arrived in London, Ont. on Monday, Dec. 28.

Ufdragons Rocket was an 11-1 upset winner in the featured $11,000 Preferred 2 Pace as driver Scott Coulter sent the Richard Moreau trainee inside of pacesetter Kendal Gustav down the snowy stretch to prevail in 2:07.3. The snow covered track was downgraded to slow with a five second variant for the ninth race before the remaining three races on the card were delayed due to track maintenance.

Ufdragons Rocket avoided an early breaker and secured the pocket trip behind Kendal Gustav, who led the field through fractions of :30.2, 1:03.1 and 1:34.4. Down the stretch, Kendal Gustav faced challenges from Bestofthebunch, who had tipped first over from third nearing the half-mile mark, and 9-5 favourite Topcornerterror, who launched three-wide from the backfield turning for home. However, it was Ufdragons Rocket who came through along the pylons to defeat Kendal Gustav at the wire and spark a $25.70 win payout as the second-longest shot on the board. The six-year-old Dragon Again gelding is owned by 5527920 Manitoba Ltd.

One race earlier, trainer Stephen Roberts and Laura Roberts' Oldfriendskentucky pulled off a 41-1 shocker in the $7,500 Preferred 3 with Tyler Borth working out the winning trip.

After Blue Chip Sunshine fronted the field through a :30.1 first quarter, Oldfriendskentucky rushed from third to first at the 1:02.2 midway mark and eventually cleared down the backstretch. He reached three-quarters in 1:32.1 and opened up in the final turn by four lengths before hitting the wire in 2:04.3. The six-year-old Whosurboy gelding returned $85.10 to his backers at the betting windows. Lyons Levi Lewis, the 3-2 favourite, and Warrior Call finished second and third, respectively.

In other action, Brianne Sloan earned her first training win as trotter Schrodinger wired his $6,000 claiming rivals in the evening's seventh race. The 17-year-old Clinton, Ont. conditioner celebrated the career milestone in her 15th start. Driven by Nick Steward and owned by John Patterson, Schrodinger won by more than 11 lengths in 2:07.

Canada's 2015 win leader, Alfie Carroll, was the driving star of the night. He added to his chart-topping totals by driving six first-place finishers. It's been a career year for the Iona Station, Ont. horseman, who surpassed the 400-win mark and $2 million earnings plateau for the first time.

To view Monday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Monday Results - Western Fair.

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