A generational 1-2 in Legends Trot

Father Ron Waples gave son and fellow harness racing Hall of Famer Randy an on-track lesson in the Legends Trot at Kawartha Downs on Saturday (Aug. 20) as the pair completed a family exactor.

Ron, saddled with the second tier, marched Courious Joan (Amigo Hall), from eighth at the quarter in :29.2 to first just after the half in :59.3. Courious Joan then faced pressure from Regal Mass and leading Kawartha driver Reg Gassien on the approach to three-quarters in 1:29.2.

Regal Mass shrugged off that rival at headstretch and denied the late charge of Randy and Zip Me Up for the victory in 1:59.3.

Zip Me Up was a half-length short. Regal Mass came home third.

Doug Brown, Carmen Hie, Doug Hie, Mike Saftic, Paul MacDonell, and Murray Samons completed the order of finish in the Legends Trot.

Ron Waples gave Courious Joan her third career win in 17 tries and boosted her earnings total to $14,725. Murray Brethour trains the three-year-old filly for Len and Murray Callacott.

Ron Waples was third in this year’s annual Legends Day Trot at Clinton Raceway. The 78-year-old had not started since the previous edition of the race in 2019. It was Waples’ first driving win since 2015. He was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1986 and U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1993. The Toronto native began his career in the early 1970s and recorded his first win at Sunnydale Raceway. He has won 6,923 races in 35,764 starts and has brought in earnings of more than $75 million for his drives.

Kawartha Downs continues racing on Saturday, Aug. 27 as its fifth-to-last card of the season.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink