In London Preferred Major League N Wins

In the top class, the $11,600 Fillies and Mares Preferred Pace, Major League N made a stunning comeback to the winner's circle on Wednesday, May 15, on the shoulders of a full card at The Raceway at the Western Fair District.

Major League N, in charge of the timer, recorded panels in:28.2, :58.2, and 1:26.3, ultimately winning by two lengths in 1:55.2. Colin Kelly's Saulsbrook Olympia came in second, followed by Todd Ratchford's Sweet Cheeseus in third.

The 11-year-old Gotta Go Cullen-Candlestick Park horse, owned by Ed and Ashleigh Hensley, won her third race out of 12 starts this year. Major League N has amassed a record of 40-35-17 in 165 career starts, along with $389,135 in earnings. She wagered $22.30 at odds of 10 to 1.

Four races of the City Of London Series for horses four years of age and under, featuring divisions for male and female pacers, followed the Distaff Preferred. As of March 1, 2024, at midnight, non-winners of the $10,000 lifetime prize are eligible to enter the City of London Series. Following the Wednesday combat of the first $8,000 leg, the London Oval is set to host the second $8,000 leg on Wednesday, May 22, and the $20,000 leg on Friday, May 31.

For the horses and geldings in the first division, Cold Beer Calling ($8.50) was the first to go. The Darryl Laver pupil, accompanied by Brett MacDonald, moved first through the half in :58.2 and the three-quarters in 1:27 after finishing fourth through the opening panel in :27.4. Cold Beer Calling took the lead at the top of the stretch and held off All Bets On Red (Travis Henry) in a stretch drive to win by a quarter of a length in 1:56.2. Tyler Borth's character Jimmy Billie B finished the triactor.

The sophomore Hes Watching-Mets N Jets gelding, who is aiming for his third victory in 19 career starts, is co-owned by Rick Rier and Leanne Davidson.

In the second male division, La Sun Control ($3.90) won, with Colin Kelly holding the lines for Rick Edwards. The four-year-old Control's gelded son The Moment-Sunbather moved to the outside through the three-quarters in 1:25.4, having sat fourth through panels in :28 and :57.3. In the last turn, he came face-to-face with pacesetting Rustys Bett (Henry), and they ran together for the wire. La Sun Control won by a nose in a photo finish in 1:55. The last-place finisher, Farmers Beach (Jody Jamieson), was third.

Along with Michael Tam, Edwards co-owns the winner of seven races from 15 career starts in addition to four races from six starts this year.

Sauble placed first in the fillies and mares class. After falling behind at the :28.2 first quarter, :58.3 half, and 1:27.1 three-quarters, Lila ($8.40) and Anthony Haughan surged ahead to win by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:56.1. The top three were completed by Dale Thiessen's Acefortyfour Lady and Brent Thorh's Stilton Gold.

Breeders Sauble Hill Farms and Nasussito Racing Inc. hire Otis Hall to coach their daughter, the daughter of the State Treasurer-Performing Art. After 10 career starts, she won her sixth race.

Think Ahead ($3.50) 'thought ahead' as she maintained pace throughout the mile in her division of the City of London Series for fillies and mares. Posting panels at 59.2, 1:28.1, and 29.3, Garrett Rooney and the trainee for Robert McIntosh

The second-year Thinking Out Loud-Ready Set Roll filly, who has won twice in her career out of nine starts, is owned by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc.

Four $8,000 divisions—two for women and two for boys—competed in the inaugural Prospect Series events for sophomore pacers sired in Ontario on Wednesday. Grand River Raceway will host the $15,000 Final for three-year-olds on Friday, September 27, as part of the Prospect Series, which is contested over five legs.

Ireland Seelster ($2.70), trained by Carl Jamieson student Jody Jamieson, won the first split for fillies and mares by a half length, winning from the gate to the finish in 1:58. The victorious daughter of Sportswriter-I C Maggie May is co-owned by Carl Jamieson, 1140545 Ontario Ltd., and Robert Edwards, marking her third career victory in 21 races.

Four of the leading fillies were involved in an accident during the Prospect split in race three. Tyler Borth's character Rosean Tea broke before the three-quarters and tumbled to the racetrack. Jason Ryan's Leavinwithasmile and Dale Spence's Pretty Missy May were unable to evade, and Brett MacDonald's Crytel Shadow was charted with an interference break. Following their examinations by EMS paramedics, Borth, Ryan, and Spence were given the all-clear to resume driving, while Ryan wasn't given the all-clear to do so.

Western Fair officials stated that due to the mishap, Rosean Tea had to be put to sleep.

As the leader of the mile, Well Assessed ($2.60) won the second split for the females. Together, Rooney and McIntosh completed the second gate-to-wire mile off panels in:29.1,:59.1, and 1:28. Later, they held off a challenge from Porch Pirate (Borth), who was sitting in his pocket, to win by a neck in 1:57.4. Owned by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. and Tyrone Valley Farm, the Sunshine Beach-Well Pondered filly is going for her third career victory in eight outings.

For the colts and geldings, Honolulu Vacation ($2.30) started the Prospect Series action with a gate-to-wire victory in 1:57.4 by 3-3/4 lengths. Codey Hawkins, the owner, trainer, and breeder, received his winning drive from Michael Whelan. After seven runs, the sophomore horse Betterthancheddar-Luxury Vacation secured his first career victory.

After waiting through panels in :28 and :58.1 and then pulling first over the route to the three-quarters in 1:28.4, Bettors Rush ($7.00) and Travis Henry wrapped up the series action. The Blake Macintosh horse was fourth going into the last turn, but in 1:58.2, he surged ahead to best Acefortyfour Duke (Brett MacDonald) by a neck at the wire. Owned by Hutt Racing Stable, Blake Macintosh, and Patrick Woods, the sophomore Bettors Delight-Sister Pippa gelding is winning for the third time in 16 career starts.