Miami opener is Ellis and LeDrew show

Harness racing trainer Travis Ellis and driver Glenn LeDrew combined for five winners on opening day at the Miami Fair on Saturday (Jul. 9).

They got three-year-old Perpetual (Vertical Horizon) her maiden-breaking victory in the first race of the year. The filly won in 2:05.2 by open lengths for owner Michael Williams of Winnipeg.

The pair doubled with Buck Rogers (Trueland Hanover) in the third. That four-year-old stallion scored by a half-length in 2:01.1 on his yearly debut. Brett Earle of Winnipeg took ownership of the horse, who has now earned $10,454 and won seven of his 15 career starts, in June.

Cartiere (Hes Watching) made an instant impact in his first start for Ellis and LeDrew, breaking his maiden in 2:05.2. It was his 2022 debut after a winless eight-start three-year-old debut campaign in Ontario. Adam Mace, Timothy Gordon, and Earle combine to own the four-year-old gelding.

Rip It Up (Smart Shark) also won his debut for the pair and his first appearance at the Miami Fair. The five-year-old gelding took his ninth lifetime win in 51 career starts and lifted his earnings to $32,197. Mace and Gordon acquired the horse in April.

Jay Dees Scooter (Youshouldseemenow) completed the quintuple with his second lifetime victory in the finale. J. David Mooney of Wawanesa owns and bred the three-year-old colt and debuted him at Miami last year. It was the colt’s first outing for Ellis and LeDrew.

While that duo dominated most of the card, the Howlett team swept the Opens for both sexes.

Woodmere Alvin (Rollwithitharry) produced the day’s fastest mile of 2:00.1 in the Horses and Geldings Open. Donald Howlett drove the gelding he co-owns with Blair Kidd of Miniota. Matthew Howlett trains the four-year-old, who has won 11 times and earned  $78,585 in 48 career starts.

Heavenly Evelyn (Rock N Roll Heaven) held on by a head to score in the Fillies and Mares Open for the same connections. Donald Howlett, Kidd, and Dwayne Taylor of Minto bought the seven-year-old mare in June after the closing of her regular track, Pompano Park in Florida.

Miami Fair will continue racing on Saturday, Jun. 16.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink