The City Of London Pacing Series kicked off on Tuesday at Western Fair Raceway with three $9,000, first leg divisions for the fillies and mares
and four for their male counterparts.
Mike Saftic, one of Ontario’s top drivers for many years, made a rare appearance at the London oval count as he steered the fastest winner of the female events, Patsys Luck. Leaving from post eight, Saftic maneuvered the three-year-old filly into contention with a three-wide move before the three-quarter pole to win by more than three lengths in 1:57.4. Playboy Mansion was second followed by Pink Knees.
Sent off as the heavy favourite, Patsys Luck, a daughter of Camluck, was recording her second win in five tries this year for trainer John Pentland whose wife Natalie shares ownership with Synerco Ventures of Toronto.
The other two distaff tests went to Lucky Real One and Stuart Sowerby in 1:58.3 and D D Glamour and Mike Horner in 2:00.
On the male side it was Bazilla and Robert Shepherd who turned in the quickest score with a front-end 1:56.1 effort over Classic Call and Oil Tumbles. It was just the fourth lifetime start and first career win for the winner, a three-year-old gelding by Geartogear trained and owned by Rod Boyd of Cambridge, Ontario.
Distinctiv Richie (1:58.1) and Alfie Carroll, Legends Luck (1:58.2) and Nick Steward and Element Seelster (1:57.4) and Shepherd took the other divisions for the male pacers.
The second leg of the series will go postward on Tuesday, May 17 with the $45,000 (added) final set for Friday, May 27.
The City of London Trotting Series will kick off on Friday at Western Fair with three divisions for each sex as well as two divisions of the first leg of the Slots Cup. Post time is 7:05 p.m.
(Western Fair Raceway)
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Western Fair Raceway.