Its Huw You Know and Mach Magic captured their respective $8,500 Preferred events in pillar-to-post fashion on Wednesday evening (July 25) at Grand River Raceway.
The $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot (race five) saw Its Huw You Know ($9.90) clear easily on approach to the first turn and never look back in a comfortable 1:58.4 score, the 17th of his career.
Ed Hensley sent the six-year-old Holiday Road gelding to an uncontested lead from post 5, and the pair cleared Warrawee Shipshape (Scott Young) with ease only a couple steps into the first turn. And while an early break from 6-5 favourite Stormont Kate (Bruce Richardson) may have made things easier through a :28.4 first quarter, she resurfaced in a big way through the middle stages.
After Its Huw You Know pulled the half back to :59.2, Stormont Kate, who reset and advanced uncovered from seventh through the second quarter, offered mild pressure up the far side and forced a :29.1 third split. The longtime pacesetter held his ground and edged away at the eighth pole, keeping 1-1/2 lengths of clearance over pocket foe Warrawee Shipshape to the finish line under mild encouragement. Allies Gift (Robert Shepherd) lifted off cover to take third, while Stormont Kate faded to fourth.
In addition to notching the winning drive aboard Its Huw You Know, Ed Hensley shares ownership with trainer Ashleigh Hensley.
Mach Magic ($6.50) likewise made every pole a winning one in the $8,500 Preferred 3 Pace for fillies and mares (race seven), turning aside the first-over Pinky Tuscadero before accelerating to keep her pocket rival Grey Bell at bay in 1:56.2.
After failing to get involved from off the pace in recent weeks, Mach Magic returned to past front-pacing strategies, and the dividends were immediate. Robert Shepherd gunned Mach Magic out to an easy lead from post 4, and the pair controlled a :28.4 first quarter before company came in the form of Piny Tuscadero (Mike Horner), who emerged from third off the far turn. Mach Magic maintained the upper hand through middle splits of :59.2 and 1:28.1 before shaking away at head-stretch. Pocket for Grey Bell (Brett MacDonald) had room to give chase off the corner and in fact accelerated, but could only get within half a length in the end. Pinky Tuscadero held third after levelling off.
For Mach Magic, the featured win was the 18th of her career. Anthony Beaton trains the six-year-old Mach Three mare for owner-breeder David Lumsden.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Grand River Raceway.