Three moves to win was likely not how Colin Kelly planned the trip for his mount Modern Writer in The Raceway at Western Fair District's third race on Feb. 17, but the pair got it done anyways.
Modern Writer gave everything in one of Ontario harness racing's bravest miles of the season so far. The four-year-old Sportswriter gelding left fourth from post seven, pulled first up at 3/8s, tucked back in approaching the three-quarters, and came back out on the last turn to get up in the final strides.
Shifting Views drove on from post three to take command going to the quarter in 29.0. Modern Writer left four-hole cover and came to the leader's bridlepath just past the half in 1:00, but Shifting Views and Austin Sorrie allowed no further headway and forced Modern Writer into the pocket heading to three quarters. The latter then moved to the outside for a dramatic late push after a third panel in 1:29.3, and he emerged just a head better than Shifting Views after a hard-fought stretch drive. Rock and Twist wasn't involved in the battle for win but took the show spot comfortably.
The gutsy Harold Wilson trainee stopped the clock in 1:59.3 to notch his fourth lifetime victory and the biggest share of a $4,700 purse for Wendy Marshall and Wilson, who co-owns. He paid $6.70 to win.
Ten Four We Gone dispatched of multiple challenges en route to a wire-to-wire score in the N/W $50,000 Lifetime feature in The Raceway's seventh contest. That victory also gave reinsman Marc St. Louis his first of three wins on the night.
St. Louis sent Ten Four We Gone to the front from post five and enjoyed three eighths of a mile unopposed, setting a 30.0 opening split and a soft 1:02.2 half. Paul McKenzie swung Hey Arch to the outside to challenge as the field trotted by the grandstand for the first time. That duo pressured the leader until three-quarters in 1:32. Ten Four We Gone turned away Hey Arch as they turned for home, allowing pocket-sitter Rose Run Unclebuck to take his shot at the win. Ten Four We Gone, however, was indeed gone, holding off Rose Run Unclebuck to win by a head. Mr Arch sat sixth through the opening stages and closed late for third.
The Kadabra-sired four-year-old horse now has seven lifetime victories on 22 starts and more than $40,000 in earnings. He is owned by Wayne Mac Rae, Howmac Farms Ltd., and Victor Puddy, who also trains. He paid $9.70 to win.
This was The Raceway's second card since resuming racing on Feb. 16. Harness action will continue at the London, Ontario oval on Feb. 19. Woodbine Mohawk Park will host its first races of the year on Feb. 18.
For full race results, click here.
by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink