Third straight for three-year-old

Punchesinbunches (Dali) landed his third straight blow on his harness racing rivals in another wire-to-wire victory on Monday (Nov. 13) at The Raceway at the Western Fair District.

The gelding came flying out of his corner, zipping to the lead after a brief tuck for Garrett Rooney, and took a three-length lead to the quarter in :29.1. The field condensed in the middle splits of :58.3 and 1:27.1, and Moonwatcher (Dan Megens) commenced a first-over march entering the backstretch.

Moonwatcher maintained his challenge into the stretch, and Called In Sick remained in striking range. Punchesinbunches held the closers off though, and he came home with a length-and-three-quarter lead in 1:56.

Called In Sick finished second, and It Takes Two (Lorne House) passed two horses in the stretch for third.

PUNCHESINBUNCHES REPLAY

Punchesinbunches has now won three straight and 11 this season. Douglas Schweitzer trains and owns his homebred gelding, who has now taken 15 wins and $80,876 in earnings from 28 lifetime appearances. He was the track’s Rookie of the Year in 2022 after going four-for-four.

The Raceway at the Western Fair District hosts its next card on Tuesday, Nov. 14. First post for the 10-race card is set for 5:50 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink