$20 million for Cullen

Harness racing horseman Travis Cullen, enjoying a hot first half of 2024, reached $20 million in career driving earnings as he won the feature at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Tuesday (Apr. 2).

Cullen let Exotic Dragon (Custard The Dragon) sit the pocket behind Major League N (Ed Hensley), who set a moderate tempo with splits of :27.4, :57.4, and 1:26.4. Exotic Dragon came off the cones turning for home in front of the parked-out Premier Delight (Jeff Hunt) and muscled by Major League N for the victory in 1:57.1. Major League N held second over the resurgent Premier Delight.

EXOTIC DRAGON REPLAY

Exotic Dragon is now a six-time winner this season and is 34-for-108 lifetime. The mare, whom Cullen co-owns with Paul Sanders of Surry and Ron Cullen of Dundas, has earned $346,093 lifetime. Jodie Cullen trains the six-year-old.

Travis Cullen acquired the $20 million milestone in his 13,189th start and 2,394th win. He is winning at a 20.1 per cent clip so far this year with 91 victories in 453 drives.

The sixth race on the card saw massive payoffs when the 1/9 favourite, Shes Lawless (Tyler Borth), broke while well clear on the final turn. Century Kiss Me (Mcwicked, Daryl Thiessen) picked up the pieces to win at 24-1, followed by the 31-1 Lady Panic (Lorne House) and 14-1 Maggie Bell (Garrett Rooney). The winner returned $99.20 to show, and the $1 superfecta paid $3,313.90, indicating two winning tickets.

CENTURY KISS ME REPLAY

Racing continues at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Wednesday, Apr. 3 at 5:50 p.m. EDT. The featured Preferred Trot will come in the finale of the 11-race card.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink