From Rio To Leamington

Published: August 21, 2016 07:55 pm EDT

Last week, Woodslee, Ontario owner Don Leschied was watching his daughter riding his homebred, representing Canada, and finishing fourth in an Olympic equestrian event in Rio, and Sunday he was back in Ontario in the Leamington winner's circle with another horse, his eight-year-old gelding Blissfull Years ($4.40).

The son of Blissfull Hall-Dont Hit On Me had just won the seventh race in 1:57.4 for trainer ‘Gabby’ Sasso and driver Mark MacQuarrie.

The post race interview gave Leschied an opportunity to tell the overflowing crowd about the semantics of getting a horse to Rio. First, he had to trailer his horse down to Florida, and then on to a 747 for the seven-hour trip to Rio.

“Tiring, exhausting, but most fulfilling!” said Leschied, who was beaming over the experience, and the thought that he was doing it from a winner's circle back home.

If that wasn’t enough for the Ontario lawyer, he returned in the 10th race with his second winner of the day Spago Hall ($5.80) for Sasso and MacQuarrie.

Mark MacQuarrie had three wins on the day, winning earlier with trainer Gord McDonnell’s new east coast purchase, Gangnam Style ($3.90), in 2:00.4 for co-owners Vince Orlando and Sherry Murray of Leamington.

Donnie Rankin held on to his lead in the driver standings with three winners on the day.

Next week, the Lakeshore Horse Racing Association will be holding a “Derby Hat” contest for the ladies, with big prizes. Post time is 1:30 p.m.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.

(With files from Leamington Raceway)

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