Trainer of harness racing Darryl Laver increased his seasonal win percentage to 16.5% on Saturday, May 11, at Hiawatha Horse Park, with three victories.
In the third, HP Musical Alarm (Alarm Detector, Scott Wray) won by one length in 2:02.4. This victory opened the conditioner's account. The three-year-old gelding has already earned $18,938 and has four victories out of 10 starts in his debut season. Owners Leanne Davidson and John Curran have seen him win two straight races at Sarnia after he placed fourth in the Ontario-sired Spring Series Final.
Laver received back-to-back scores from Ultra (Up The Credit, Wray) in the fourth. In 1:57, she won by four lengths, her first of the year in 13 attempts, after charging out of the pocket at the bend. Curran's mare is currently five for 62 lifetime with a $44,266 bankroll.
In the seventh, Laver's hat trick was completed when Cold Beer Calling (Hes Watching, Wray) scored in 1:59.2, getting up over Shovanna (Dan Clements) from the pocket. After a winless campaign in his second year, the three-year-old has two victories in eight starts this season. The gelding, which Davidson and Rick Rier jointly own, has now made $14,876 from 18 runs.
Laver has earned $108,198 this season and amassed 17 victories in 103 starts. He has just finished a 2023 campaign in which he recorded personal bests in starts (281) and wins (31), respectively. The horseman from Petrolia has earned more than $1.2 million in his career and has won 172 of 2,010 training starts.
Garrett Rooney matched Wray's total with three victories throughout the afternoon.
On Saturday, May 18, the races at Hiawatha Horse Park continue.