Speed ​​is king in the City of London first leg

The ten trotting divisions of the first leg of the City of London Series at the Western Fair District raceway saw an early pace on Friday (13 May).

The quarter-leading horses won eight of the night’s ten $8,000 events. There were six pacing divisions and four for trotters, six for stallions and geldings and four for mares and mares. Race terms limit participation to only four-year-old Ontario-bred breeds less than $10,000 lifetime earned before February 28, 2022.

Race 1 – Trotters and Geldings

Mass Attack was in full swing in the first group, leading rider Scott Young by a 1:59.4. Maple Leaf Bound (Anthony Haughan) was second after his late attack fell short by a neck. Tymal Shamrok (David Boughton) performed.

It was the first career win for Mass Attack, a second son of muscle mass. Peter Clements is training the gelding he bred and owns with Barry Klages from Owen Sound. Mass Attack’s total earnings are now $12,066.

Race 2 – Trotters and Geldings

Dodging a breaker in his division, Come Home For Life pushed his way to the front in the first quarter and stormed away in 2:01.3 for a comfortable two-and-a-half win for driver Boughton. Energizer De Vie (Travis Cullen) edged out Guinness (Matthew Bax) for the spot.

The winning three year old Royalties for life Wallach also broke his dam and won for the first time in eight attempts. Donald Lindsey trains the gelding for Paul Lindsey of Fergus.

Race 3 – Pacing Mares and Mares

Lyon’s Princess continued the trend of front-end winners in the third as she blasted out early for Haughan to lead the field in race three in 1’56.3. Rockabillycockshut (J. Bradley Harris) almost surprised the winner with a late bid, but was a neck too late. Da Magic Me Me (Tyler Borth) ended up well back in third place.

Lyons Princess, a second daughter of lyon somewhere, has now won three of her 11 starts for $23,800. Anthony Beaton coaches her for Threelyonsracing of Brantford.

Race 4 – Running Horses and Geldings

Airy Shadow capitalized on his League Four pylon positioning with a quick bang on the engine at the start, rolling all the way home for driver Scott Coulter to set an open score of 1:56.1. Docsphillycheese (Garrett Rooney) finished second ahead of Night Out (Brett MacDonald).

The winner, a three year old shadow play Wallach, his damsel broke with victory. It was the horse’s annual debut. R. Gregg McNair conditions the $60,000 purchase of Harrisburg which he co-owns with Ilderton Boys Stable of London.

Race 5 – Mares and mares at a trot

Jason Ryan pushed Larry’s Girl to the lead in race five. The filly maintained her lead of a length and a half into the last quarter, and she passed favorite Kickin Your Mass (Haughan) to the finish in 2:00.2. Calm Cool Collectd (Coulter) was third after a delayed rally.

Larry’s Girl is now five for 13 years old and has $36,670 in earnings. Francis Guillemette trains the four-year-old The Sogno Dream Miss for a numbered Ontario company and Jody McClure of Rockwood.

Race 6 – Pacing Mares and Mares

The winning pace continued in the sixth with a wire-to-wire result for Sexy Playmate holding off the closing field for the 1:59.4 win. Ezbriesybeautiful (Coulter) took on the most menacing challenge, finishing second at half-length. Barstow Belle (Ryan Desroche) was behind it just for show.

Sexy Playmate has now won two starts in a row for trainer and owner Kyle Bossence of Arthur. The second grader shadow play Filly earned $12,195 in two wins from eight attempts.

Race 7 – Running Horses and Geldings

Greystone’s Ian O overcame a first-over opening panel and a speed duel in the third quarter for the fastest win of the night in the seventh. Rider Lorne House opted to march the gelding forward rather than take a hole after getting away fourth fastest and Greystone Ian O took the lead in the second quarter. He then withstood a fierce brush from Almost There Boss (Scott Coulter) in the half and blasted away in the final stanza for a four-and-three-quarters win in 1:54.2. Super Fm (Tyler Borth) outperformed the rest by a quarter length and finished second ahead of Almost There Boss, who finished third.

The triumphant son of sports journalist lowered his career mark by two seconds with the win. House conditions the now four-time winner and co-owns with partners Ryan Clements of London and Ryan Willis of Bowmanville. Greystone Ian O is now four for nine for life and has earned $26,355.

Race 8 – Trotters and Geldings

The Champ Champ surprised bettors in Division 8 when he cabled his opponents at odds of 12-1. Haughan brought the three-year-old colt forward from the two holes, managing his attack to a gentle second split, and the colt was untouchable en route to a third winning round visit in 1:59 down the track. Livingontherail (Aaron Byron) aptly enjoyed a pocket trip to a course finish. Crooked Dealer (Coulter) was another length behind in third place.

Caroline Holliday of Mount Forest owns and bred The Champ Champ, a son of archangel that’s now three for six with a career bankroll of $12,684. Her husband, David Holliday, trains the colt. The Champ Champ can now boast a three-race winning streak, having continued the winning streak he showed in January before being retired.

Race 9 – Pacing Mares and Mares

PL Portia continued in ninth and took the lead in the quarterfinals after Lady Libby (Borth) left her early. House then gave PL Portia reasonable fractions in the middle and the sunshine beach Filly opened in the stretch for a 1:56.3 win in three and a half lengths over runner-up Lyons Believer (Haughan) and show-getter Dustins Girl (Brett MacDonald).

PL Portia is now four for nine lifetime for owners Ryan Clements of London and Prince Lee Acres of Uxbridge. The Homebred has made $19,480 to date under the tutelage of House, who also trains.

Race 10 – Running Horses and Geldings

It took until the finals, but Leavin Bruises is the first winner on the card not to lead by three-fourths. Coulter placed the Believe in Bruiser forward in the opening stages but ceded control to Yarm (Travis Henry). Leavin Bruises popped the bag on the final corner after eating his helmet for a half-mile and looped past Yarm to score in 1:56.2. Yarm was hit half a length. Delightful Wine (Scott Wray) was third.

Leavin Bruises is now on a three-race winning streak after back-to-back victories at Flamboro Downs. Courtney Bishop from Guelph trains, breeds and co-owns the three year old with Leo Fleming from Campbellville. The shake is now three for nine lifetime and has grossed $11,400.

The second leg of the City of London Series will be released at Raceway on Friday 20th May. The $20,000 finals are scheduled for Friday May 27th.

To view City of London Series information, Click here.

For full race results, Click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale for Harnesslink