Laver triples at Sarnia

Harness racing trainer Darryl Laver tallied a trio of wins at Hiawatha Horse Park on Saturday (May 11) to raise his seasonal win rate to 16.5 per cent.

Hp Musical Alarm (Alarm Detector, Scott Wray) opened the conditioner’s account with a one-length win in the third in 2:02.4. In his rookie season at three, the gelding’s totals are now four wins in 10 starts and $18,938 in earnings. He has won two straight at Sarnia for owners Leanne Davidson and John Curran after finishing fourth in the Ontario-sired Spring Series Final.

Ultra (Up The Credit, Wray) gave Laver back-to-back scores in the fourth. She emerged from the pocket with pace on the turn and drew off to a four-length victory in 1:57, her first of the year in 13 tries. The mare, owned by Curran, is now five-for-62 lifetime with a bankroll of $44,266.

Laver’s hat trick was completed when Cold Beer Calling (Hes Watching, Wray) got up over Shovanna (Dan Clements) from the pocket in the seventh to score in 1:59.2. The three-year-old has two wins in eight starts this year after a winless two-year-old campaign. Davidson and Rick Rier share ownership of the gelding who has now earned $14,876 in 18 outings.

Laver has racked up 17 wins in 103 starts and $108,198 in earnings this season. He is coming off a 2023 in which he set personal records in starts and wins with 281 and 31, respectively. Lifetime, the Petrolia-based horseman has won 172 of 2,010 training starts and has accumulated earnings north of $1.2 million.

Garrett Rooney drove three winners on the afternoon, equaling Wray’s tally.

Racing continues at Hiawatha Horse Park on Saturday, May 18.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink