Hall of Fame driver Doug Brown swept the featured trots with All Out Henry and Power And Grace to close out another successful edition of Legends Day on Sunday afternoon at Clinton Raceway.
The biennial event, held in support of the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation, returned to Clinton Raceway after being postponed in 2021 due the COVID-19 pandemic. The event raised over $51,000 for the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation.
Brown led the lineup of Hall of Famer drivers featured in the $15,000 Legends Day Trot that included Steve Condren, Carl Jamieson, Trevor Ritchie, Paul MacDonell, Randy Waples and Ron Waples.
The legends at Clinton Raceway on June 12, 2022. (Photo by Dave Landry)
Leaving from the inside post with the favoured mare Power And Grace, Brown controlled the race from start to finish. Power And Grace held a two-length lead through fractions of :28.3, :59.3 and 1:29.3 before holding off Scene A Magician and Jamieson by three-quarters of a length in 1:59 flat.
Esquire and Ron Waples finished 1-1/2 lengths behind in third off a pocket trip.
“It was just lucky for these guys that I was in front because I couldn’t see around her,” laughed Brown. “She’s a great mare. For the size of her, she gets around the turns really good.”
A seven-year-old daughter of Holiday Road, Power And Grace notched her sixth win of the year from 17 starts for trainer Ron MacDonald and owners Hartel Maintenance Ltd. and Lormer McClure.
One race earlier, Brown steered All Out Henry to a 9-1 upset in the $6,500 Gayle Kerr Memorial Trot, prevailing from the pocket by a neck over the front-striding favourite Heavy Dude E and Ryan Desroche.
Owned and trained by Pam Forgie, the 10-year-old Cornaro Dasolo gelding picked up his first win of the year from four starts, stopping the clock in 2:00.1.
Draven Hanover and Randy Waples closed between the top pair for third.
“It was just a great day and you can tell everyone of us loves to come out here,” said Brown of the 11th edition of Legends Day. “It just makes harness racing what it is when you get the people out and Clinton, it’s always been a great place.”
Horseplayers showed their support by pushing over $100,000 through the betting windows. There were no winning tickets sold for the 20 cent Pick 5 so the $2,035 pool will carry over to next Sunday’s Pick 5.
Clinton Raceway is back in action on June 19th at 1:30 p.m.
