Award Winners Shine In London

Published: March 22, 2016 12:20 am EDT

A pair of London’s top performers from last season turned in stellar performances during Monday evening’s card of racing at The Raceway at Western Fair District.

The $11,000 Preferred 2 Handicap for horse and gelding pacers went to Kendal Gustav and driver Lorne House in 1:55.2. The track’s Older Pacing Horse of the Year in 2015 sliced out fractions of :27, :56.1 and 1:25 before using a :30.2 closing quarter to seal the deal in 1:55.2. Stoney Durkin was 1-1/4 lengths in arrears, with Newbie taking home third prize.

Sent off at odds of 12-1, the Scott McNiven pupil improved this year’s record to 3-1-1 from nine starts. The victory pushed his career earnings over $250,000. The 36-time winner is owned Scott McNiven, Thomas Brodhurst and Shirley Griffin.

Thundering Ovation also used front-stepping tactics to take home top prize in the $7,500 Preferred 3 for trotters. Paul MacKenzie hustled the mare to the lead from Post 5 and the successfully carved out fractions of :29.3, 1:01.3 and 1:32.1 before sprinting home in :28.4 to win in 2:01. Devries Hanover was next best, with P C Dream Ticket rounding out the top three finishers.

Gerry Sloan trains the homebred for Joanne and Courtney Sloan of Harley, Ont. The seven-year-old daughter of Thunder Road-Shesintuff was named London’s Older Trotting Mare of the Year and the overall Horse of the Year in 2015. The 35-time winner recently surpassed $300,000 in lifetime earnings.

To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.

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