Bob McClure works overtime for 3,000th win

Two afternoon wins at Hanover Raceway set the stage for harness racing driver Bob McClure to hit 3,000 wins with a victory aboard Greatest Ending (Somebeachsomewhere) in the second race at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday evening (Jun. 25).

The 31-year-old reinsman dropped Greatest Ending into the three-hole through the opening quarter in :26.3 but had the sophomore colt stepping to the front on the backstretch. They led to the half in :55.2 and edged away to a three-length cushion by three-quarters in 1:23.2. McClure urged the colt home to stifle a strong charge from Chucky Hanover (Paul MacDonell) and snag his 3,000th career victory.

McClure picked up two wins earlier in the day at Hanover Raceway, the setting of much of his early career. The Rockwood resident found the winner’s circle with Pc Massive Dream (Muscle Mass) and Top Royal (Royal Mattjesty). He missed reaching the milestone there by a head with Wine And Cheese in the fifth race.

McClure has made more than 18,000 starts and secured $35,921,046 in earnings for his mounts since debuting in 2009. He was the 2020 O’Brien Award winner for Driver of the Year. He drove Forbidden Trade to victory in the 2019 Hambletonian and has steered many of Canada’s top horses. The Determination stable, which owns Forbidden Trade, has made McClure a key part of its team along with trainer Luc Blais.

One race later, Doug McNair followed up with an earnings milestone. To read the full story, click here.

For complete Hanover Raceway race results, click here.

For complete Woodbine Mohawk Park race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink