Despite landing the outermost post, Cheddar Bay bolted for the lead and controlled at every pole to post a 1:55.4 victory in claiming a repeat victory in the $13,000 Horses & Geldings Preferred 2 & 3 Handicap Pace at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Tuesday (Feb. 8).
Leaving from post 7, driver J Harris hustled the six-year-old Betterthancheddar gelding to the point and clicked the first quarter in :27.2 with Icy Blue Scooter sitting the pocket. Ideal Perception angled first over out of sixth and began to gain on the pacesetter as the tempo slowed by a :57 half. Cheddar Bay accelerated slightly into the backstraight while Ideal Perception drew closer and eventually matched strides with the leader by three-quarters in 1:26.1. However, the overland trip taxed Ideal Perception and he lost ground off the turn while Cheddar Bay strolled resolute into the stretch, holding 1-1/4 lengths on Icy Blue Scooter to the beam to win. Crosscut rallied from second over for third and Racemup closed from last for fourth.
Owned by Donald and Heather McGregor, Cheddar Bay won his second race from five starts this season and his 10th from 68 overall, lifting his earnings to $143,264. Stacey Currie conditions the $11 winner.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Western Fair Raceway.