City Of London Series begins

One of The Raceway at the Western Fair District’s signature harness racing events, the City of London Series, kicked off its preliminary pacing rounds on Wednesday (May 10) with six first-leg divisions.

The card kicked off with No Money Honey (All Bets Off, Colin Kelly) erasing a four-length deficit in the stretch to capture the first division for fillies and mares in 1:56.2. She tracked down leader Lady Bonita (Tyler Borth), who finished second. Roulette Hanover (Aaron Byron) was third. The win was a maiden-breaker for No Money Honey, a sophomore Kyle Bossence-trained filly. She was previously 0-for-nine for owner/breeders Stuart and Patricia Bolender.

NO MONEY HONEY REPLAY

Oh Gouda (Betterthancheddar, Michael Horner) wired the field to take the second division in 1:58. Yoda Queen (Andy Moore) kicked in late to take second from Pink Monster (Scott Coulter), who finished third. The mile time was a new career best for Oh Gouda, who is now seven-for-14 lifetime. Horner trains the three-year-old filly for R A W Equine and Mark Horner.

OH GOUDA REPLAY

Steel Beauty (Bettors Delight, Travis Henry) surged late to capture the final dash for fillies and mares with a clocking of 1:56. She out-sprinted Lady Get Lucky (Chris Matthews) for the win; the latter finished second over Miss Maycee (Kelly). Steel Beauty has now won three straight, and the most recent tally gave her a new career-best time. She’s six-for-11 lifetime for trainer Tim Myers and owner David Omicioli.

STEEL BEAUTY REPLAY

Sporty Bob (Sportswriter, Borth) crushed the first group of horses and geldings in a 1:55.4 romp. He was six lengths clear of Max Shadow (Lorne House) at the finish. Max Shadow came on late to catch Four Foot Gimme (J. Bradley Harris) for second. The win was the second lifetime in seven outings for Sporty Bob. It was his first under trainer Edward Hayter. The homebred gelding has earned $25,015 for M&S Racing Stable.

SPORTY BOB REPLAY

Boom Town Boy (Betterthancheddar, Borth) snagged his first victory of the season as he went all the way in 1:56.3 in the second split. Speaker Of Peace (Scott Young) was a length-and-a-quarter back in second, passing Beach Tour (Michael Horner) for second in the stretch. It was Boom Town Boy’s first tally of the year. Wayne McGean trains the colt for Capers 3 Stable.

BOOM TOWN BOY REPLAY

The final City of London contest of the night went to Troubles A Brewin (Betterthancheddar, Anthony Haughan), who cut the mile to score in 1:56. Holy Jalapeno (Borth) and Crazy World (Garrett Rooney) were second and third, respectively. Troubles A Brewin has won two of 12 starts to date for trainer Tony Beaton, who co-owns the sophomore with David Mercer. The gelding took a new mark with the 1:56 clocking.

TROUBLES A BREWIN REPLAY

The series, for Ontario-sired horses four years old and younger, will continue on Friday (May 12) with the first leg for trotters. The finals for both gaits will be held on Camluck Classic night – May 26.

Friday is the next day of live racing for The Raceway at the Western Fair District. First post is set for 5:50 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink