Benefitting from the hot early pace, Esquire powered three-wide turning for home and trotted off to take Friday's featured $13,000 Preferred 2 Handicap at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Gunning for the lead from post three, Power And Grace (Brett MacDonald) found herself in an early battle with 2-1 inside pick Willyorwonthe (Colin Kelly), who eventually gave way to the mare after a :26.3 tussle. At the :56.4 half-mile mark, Scene A Magician (Garrett Rooney) advanced first-up from third with Esquire and Tyler Borth tracking the cover before fanning three-deep as they passed three-quarters in 1:26.2 while Franks Angel (Jason Ryan) angled four-wide. Esquire gained a slight advantage on the final turn between foes before drawing clear down the stretch for the speedy 1:56.4 score. Franks Angel closed for second, finishing 2-3/4 lengths behind, and Scene A Magician finished third.
Following a pair of close runner-up performances in recent weeks in The Raceway's top trot, Esquire paid $9 to win as the 7-2 fourth choice in the field of six.
Mark Goddard trains the nine-year-old Kadabra gelding, who now has three wins to go along with his two seconds from seven starts this year, for owner Brandon Guerra of Brantford, Ont. The victory was the trotter's 26th lifetime and lifted his bankroll to $265,426.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Western Fair