Scene A Magician (Daylon Magician), making his second start back from a three-month layoff at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Boxing Day, notched his eighth win of the harness racing season in the trackās Preferred Handicap.
Driver Garrett Rooney took a familiar seat behind the gelding and stacked him four-wide on the first turn as all horses inside him also vied for the lead. Daylon Magician cleared just before reaching the quarter-mile marker in :28 and trotted a more pedestrian :58.4 half-mile time.
Rooney was forced to re-fire the gelding as Run Like Hill (Colin Kelly) took a swing going to three-quarters in 1:28.1. Daylon Magician turned away the challenger on the last turn and found the line on tired legs to win in 1:58.4.
Sizzlen Hot Herbie (Natasha Day) bore down late and missed a repeat by a half-length. Seven Iron (Travis Henry) closed for third.
SCENE A MAGICIAN REPLAY
Scene A Magicianās win was his 28th in 129 lifetime starts and it boosted his bankroll to $343,311. Jennifer Pinkerton of Mount Brydges owns and trains the eight-year-old.
Tyler Borth had the hot hand on the Boxing Day card, tallying five wins.
The Raceway at the Western Fair District resumes racing on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 5:50 p.m. EST.
For complete race results, click here.
by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink