Two non-wagering contests started the program with Winbak Farm’s Winbak Charles M (Jeff Fout) prevailing in the first division for colts, in 2:05.4. The CR Commando gelding notched his first win in his first lifetime start for trainer-driver Fout.
The second non-wagering division was also for colts, one of three divisions on the program, and featured a strong performance by Nanticoke Racing, Henry Faragalli and TP Johnson’s LG’s Pride (Jim Morand) who was the fastest 2-year-old of the night with a 2:04.2 triumph. The CR Commando colt improved to two-for-two, lifetime for trainer Les Givens.
Rain and wind picked up through the night and made for sloppy conditions for the remaining three divisions.
The first filly division went to Betty Chambers’ Canterbury Girl ($5.40, Ross Wolfenden) who was a wire-to-wire winner in 2:06.3. A daughter of Political Briefing, the Bonnie Chambers trainee never had an anxious moment in her front-end score.
The Gary Green trainee Kelsey’s Commando ($4.00, Victor Kirby) took the second filly division in 2:07.1 with a fierce rally, late. The CR Commando filly earned her first win in her third lifetime start.
The final colt division saw an upset as Art Stafford Jr. and Eli Beiler’s Bosston BNZ ($22.80, Art Stafford Jr.) put forth a big charge in the stretch to prevail in 2:07.1. A gelded son of Don Boss Vita, it was his first career start for trainer, driver anf co-owner Stafford Jr.
In the overnight feature, Rojan Stables, LA Express Stables, Allan Kaplan and Howard Taylor’s He’s Spooky ($4.20, Jon Roberts) recorded his third consecutive win for trainer Doug Lewis. The Cantab Hall stallion made the lead immediately from post seven and never looked back in his open length score, in 1:57. It was his ninth win of the season.
Ross Wolfenden and Jon Roberts each had three winners on the program.