Clinton Raceway’s richest race, the $48,900 Kin Pace, for Ontario-sired three-year-old pacing fillies was contested on Sunday afternoon at the Huron County oval and the featured final dash on the 11-race card was captured by post time favourite Ima Doll and leading Canadian driver Tyler Borth.
Leaving from post three, Ima Doll ($2.50) led from start to finish, setting fractions of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:28.2 before drawing off by four lengths over the pocket pursuer and fellow elimination winner Getting Euchred for the 1:58 victory. Steadyaswego closed from the backfield for third.
"She had the three-hole there and she's so good I just timed her into the gate a little bit and just asked her a little bit, let her pace out and she was on front in two strides and controlled the race. That was like a training mile for her," said Borth in a post-race interview.
Ima Doll earned her fourth win of the year from nine starts and boosted her career bankroll to nearly $100,000 for her owners, breeder Alan Bodin, Sherri Sumner and trainer John Pentland.
Four $22,000+ divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots for three-year-old pacing colts also highlighted the afternoon action.
Driver Bob McClure took three of the four divisions with sons of Bettors Delight, winning with Ikes Dream in 1:56.1 for trainer David Menary, Full Horse in 1:54.3 for the Luc Blais stable and Ace Of Aces in 1:55.3 for conditioner Shawn Steacy.
Driver Doug McNair steered another son of Bettors Delight, Sounds Good, to victory in 1:55 in the other division, which was marred by an accident. A repeat Grassroots winner for trainer Gregg McNair, Sounds Good was on top at every call and unaffected by the mishap in the stretch when Palladium Hanover (McClure) broke stride in the pocket, stumbled and fell, with Tyler Moore getting tossed to the track as his mount, Shadows Terror, veered outside of that horse. Moore was tended to by medical personnel and booked off his remaining drive. Officials with Clinton Raceway have reported that both horse and driver escaped without sustaining major injuries.
As part of the PluckinFest Weekend, the Clinton Kinsmen and Kinettes held a 50/50 draw during the race card, with the winner taking home more than $705.
Live harness racing continues next Sunday with an Open House from 11 a.m - 1 p.m., allowing racing fans the chance to see behind the scenes, meet the drivers, get a photo with a racehorse and tour the paddock. Kids Day will happen during the card as well as a fundraiser for the Mid Huron Huskies and the Huron Heat hockey associations.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Clinton Raceway.
A replay of COSA TV's broadcast of the Kin Pace is available below.