The Canam Banker made headlines by shattering the Dresden Raceway track record for three-year-old harness racing male trotters during the first Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots division. Driven by Tyler Borth, The Canam Banker took the lead after a :30.4 first quarter and maintained it with middle splits of 1:00.4 and 1:30. He pulled away on the final turn to win decisively by nine-and-a-half lengths, finishing in a record-breaking time of 1:59. Alexander, driven by Todd Ratchford, came in second, more than six lengths ahead of Garrett Rooney's Muscle Detector in third. The previous record of 1:59.3 was set by Starsel in 2006 and matched by Sicario in 2018.
Now two-for-16 this season, The Canam Banker finished third despite a break in the first Grassroots leg. Victor Puddy trains and co-owns the gelding with Michael Marocco of Lavonia. The Canam Banker has earned $66,333 and won three of his 20 career starts.
In the second division, Royal Duharas, driven by Loic Gueriel, led wire-to-wire, clocking in at 2:02. Tyler Moore's Wheelzablazin followed closely in second, and Buttinski, driven by Ratchford, finished third. Royal Duharas, trained by Kyle Fellows for Haras de L’Estrie, paid $17.10 for the win. This marked his third win in five starts this season and his first Ontario Sires Stakes attempt at three, bringing his total earnings to $35,671 from four wins in 14 starts.
Slayin Theday Away, driven by Eddie Green, claimed victory in the sole Prospect Series division for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. He led the mile in leg 2B and held off challenges from Livingitlarge (Lorne House) and Charmbo Titan (Thomas Smith), who finished second and third, respectively. This win brings Slayin Theday Away's season record to seven-for-12, trained by Keelan Green and owned and bred by Celestey Hill.
Racing at Dresden Raceway will resume on Sunday, July 7.