Travis and McQueen combine for triple

Driver Travis Henry and trainer Cameron McQueen teamed up for three harness racing victories on the Tuesday (Dec. 17) card at The Raceway at the Western Fair District.

The duo fired off the gate, taking the first two races back-two-back. Blossom Onthebeach (Sunshine Beach) journeyed first-up through the back half and muscled the move to fruition, battling to the front in the final metres to take the opener in 2:00.1. It was the eight-year-old mare’s 16th victory of the season.

BLOSSOM ONTHEBEACH REPLAY

Southern Flight (Panspacificflight) romped in the second. The gelding shifted out of fourth on the second turn, marched to the lead in the third quarter, and cruised clear to a three-and-three-quarter-length victory in 2:02. The 10-year-old, owned by Cecilia Richardson, is now 33-for-284 lifetime.

SOUTHERN FLIGHT REPLAY

Eight races later, Henry and McQueen completed their triple. After leading to the quarter, Jims Big Thrill (Big Jim) sat the pocket behind a hot pace. He had a great view to a three-wide battle down the backside, found the passing lane at the top of the stretch, and reached up late to win by a quarter-length in a three-horse photo in 2:00. The gelding has earned seven wins this season and has not missed the board since October.

JIMS BIG THRILL REPLAY

Henry’s performance pulled him closer to the top of the track’s drivers’ standings. The reinsman, sitting second, is now 10 wins behind Garrett Rooney with 141 on the season. He has already broken his personal record for wins in a season with 383, and earnings in a year, with $2.45 million.

McQueen also made headway on leading trainer Cassidy Schneider, cutting her lead from 10 to seven. The trainer has also set career bests in wins and earnings this season and is striking at a 20.8 per cent rate.

Racing is set to resume at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Friday, Dec. 20 at 5:50 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink