Women drivers battle on Harness the Hope Day

Ontario’s top female harness racing drivers went head-to-head in Women Driving for Hope races at Hanover Raceway on Saturday (Jul. 13) as part of the 5th annual Harness the Hope Day at the track.

Britt Kennedy won the first contest with Azucar Pipedream (Secrets Nephew), guiding the mare to a pocket-riding victory in 2:00. Lil Reese Pieces (Marielle Enberg) took second and Just Shocking (Julie Walker) finished third.

Nat Day won her first of two in the second Women Driving for Hope race, going wire-to-wire behind Perfect Smiley (Perfect Union). She got the gelding home in 1:58.3 in the two-and-a-quarter-length victory. Fear The Captain (Enberg) was second-best with Hes Sporty (Anne-Marie Turenne) third. Day then steered Rock N Pebbles (Betterthencheddar) to a length-and-a-half win in 2:01.1 in the fourth and final dash of the event. Just Call me Pete (Maggie Jones) held off Burlesque Seelster (Kennedy) for second.

Anita Ouellette captured the third Harness the Hope race at the lines of Mach Silver (Mach Three), who jogged in a 12-length, 1:58.3 victory. Acefortyfour Zeus (Kennedy) won the battle for place over Teddy Hanover (Turenne).

Harness the Hope Day also featured a Best Dressed Horse and Groom contest, 50/50 draw, and a pink outfit contest. The day supports Harness the Hope, a harness racing-centered charity focusing on breast cancer research, awareness, and support. The organization, founded at 2005, is active across Canada with events at a wide range of tracks.

Charmbo Prince (Royalty For Life) romped in the day’s Preferred-3. J. Bradley Harris sat behind the six-year-old gelding, who powered clear by six lengths in the final quarter and put up 1:58.2 on the teletimer. Sizzlen Hot Herbie (Day) was well clear in second over Jay Richard Nyce (Lormer McClure).

The Hanover Raceway calendar continues on Saturday, Jul. 20 at 1:30 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink