Three nights after racing in temperatures in the 30s, fans of standardbred racing at Cornerstone Raceway in Yorkton were heading to their vehicles for hoodies, jackets, blankets and gloves on a cool evening made colder by a stiff wind. Once bundled against the elements fans saw a nine-race card where three drivers had multiple trips to the winner's circle
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Veteran Hugh Woods was among those with a multiple win night, his first of the year. "It's been a little while [for multiple wins]. It feels good," he said.
Woods said wins are harder to come by this year. "The meet is good. There's some pretty good horses here," he said, adding regardless of the wins he loves racing in Yorkton.
"Yorkton is one of the best places I've raced, and I've raced all over," he said, adding the fans and hospitality are first rate.
Woods topped Race 5 with Stonebridge Camlot, over Robert Baxter and Power Maid and Donald Tracey with Twentyten. "He's a class horse. Like me he's getting older, but he's still got a little bit of spark to him," he said.
In the eighth, Woods was back in the winner's circle with Out Of Snorts, over Blake Piwniuk and Way Outa Bounds and Robert Baxter with Judges Discretion. "That's a nice little horse," said Woods. "She raced good. She raced real good." He added a good performance from Out Of Snorts is not a surprise. "Look back on past performances, she's a class horse."
For Clayton Braybrook the number seven was his lucky one Friday.
In Race 6, coming from the trailing seventh position Braybrook won with Just So Justified over Donald Tracey and Camaction, and Blake Piwniuk with Barona Galaxy.
Then in Race 7, again from the seven-hole, Braybrook won with Bling Kaching, topping Piwniuk and Weinrichtimes and Edward Tracey and Just A Mark.
"We've been playing the bridesmaid for a couple of weeks now," said Braybrook. "Tonight was just our night to make it to the front."
Braybrook noted it was great to have wins with horses he owns and trains, as well as drives. "It makes you feel real good," he said, adding a win with someone else's horse is nice, but when you do it with one of your own you feel you've really accomplished something all around the board."
Braybrook said with Just So Justified it is always something of an adventure. The six-year-old gelding has the ability to compete on any given night, but can also balk and break if the mood takes him.
"You can change things, or not change things. It doesn't seem to matter," said Braybrook, adding in the win, "... he raced like a racehorse tonight."
The seventh position was also good for Justified, said Braybrook, adding the gelding gets antsy at the gate. "Following another horse and helmet he didn't get that rush to get going."
Bling Kaching on the other hand is a completely different type of horse. "He's just the nicest little horse in the barn. He does everything I want him to do," said Braybrook.
Braybrook said with Bling Kaching he knows he'll be in the hunt, having three top three finishes in his last four starts, adding, "He never missed a cheque all last year."
Tyler Redwood also had another big night with a trio of wins including the Yorkton Business Improvement District feature won by G GS Dominator with Redwood on-board over Clayton Braybrook and Shyloh Kimberly.
Redwood also scored winning drives with Premium Cigar, his second win in four days, and Ignite The Spark, also getting his second win in four days on a night the five-year-old gelding was claimed.
For results from Friday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Friday Results - Yorkton Exhibition.
(Trot Insider exclusive by Calvin Daniels)