$300,000 for veteran mare

Ontario B-track mainstay Top Royal (Royal Mattjesty) reached $300,000 in earnings in her 193rd start on Monday (Oct. 3) at The Raceway at the Western Fair District.

Much like her path to a big earnings total, she did it the long way. After taking the four-hole through the :29.2 first panel, Scott Coulter launched her first-over and drew level with leader Casino Classic (Natasha Day) just past the half in 1:00.4.

The pair matched strides down the backside, and Top Royal poked a nose in front at three-quarters in 1:29.2. Casino Classic wrested back control as they swung for home, and Land Of Paradise (Lorne House) wound up from the backfield. With Land of Paradise surging and Casino Classic hanging tough, Top Royal motored home between the two and put her head in front at the line for the victory in 1:59.1.

Casino Classic held second over Land Of Paradise.

TOP ROYAL REPLAY

It was Top Royal’s 38th career win, boosting her bankroll to $302,033. Her success has come in the Preferred and conditioned ranks of Ontario; an Ontario Autumn Series final win at two was her only single-race cheque of more than four digits. Kendell Rahn trains the mare for Brydown Farms of Clinton.

Coulter collected four wins on the day, the first grand slam of the Western Fair meet in its second card.

The track will host a pair of fifth-leg Ontario Sires Stakes Gold divisions for three-year-old trotting colts on Tuesday, Oct. 4 as part of a 10-race program. Racing will begin at 5:50 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink