All-age track record tied in $50,500 Kin Pace

The $50,500 2022 Kin Pace Final provided a thrilling finish to a stakes filled harness racing card at Clinton Raceway. The 3-year-old filly Ontario-bred Velvet Stinger (Bettors Delight) and driver James MacDonald tied the all-age track record for fillies and mares to capture the $50,500 final.

After controlling the fractions in the eliminations, a wave of early leavers forced driver James MacDonald to take an early hold and settle Velvet Stinger into the open four hole. Her stablemate, Raptors Won, took the early lead and threw down wicked early fractions of 27.2 and 55.4.

After no movement to the half, Warrawee Xpat and driver Brett MacDonald moved first up to challenge the race leader as they entered the backstretch for the second time, setting up a second over trip for post time favourite Velvet Stinger.

James MacDonald made the three wide move with Velvet Stinger around the final turn and accelerated past leader Warrawee Xpat to capture the Kin Pace Final in 1:54.3, tying the all-aged fillies and mares track record.

“It’s fun anytime you can win a signature race and see a good crowd with kids cheering everyone on, it’s special,” said MacDonald. “Now I have the Kin Pace off my bucket list.”

After going winless in her two-year-old campaign, Velvet Stinger has won five of six starts this season and the $25,250 winner’s share of the Kin Pace purse lifted her lifetime bankroll to $73,167 for owner Millar Farms. She is trained by Nick Gallucci.

Fans were treated to two track record performances during the 10-race card. In the second division of Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots, 2-year-old gelding Timonier (Lookslikeachpndale) crossed the finish line in a time of 2:02.1, establishing a new mark for 2-year-old trotters at the Huron County oval.

The Kin Pace race card was well supported by fans and horseplayers with over $82,000 pushed through the windows. Live racing returns to Clinton Raceway on Sunday, July 10th, post time at 1:30 PM.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Elliott, for Clinton Raceway