Hippodrome 3R: Western Fame takes Prix d'Été title

Western Fame led from start to finish on his way to winning the C$200,000 Prix d'Été for 4-year-old pacers on Sunday afternoon at Hippodrome 3R in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.

This year's Confederation Cup winner, Western Fame (Trevor Henry) went right to the front from post position five and chopped out fractions of 27 1/5, 56 3/5, and 1:25. A parked-out Dr J Hanover (Doug McNair) was only able to offer tepid first-over pressure, and although 2-5 favorite Sintra (Jody Jamieson) went three-wide from second-over in the backstretch, he was unable to gain any ground, leaving Western Fame clear as they turned for home.

In the stretch pocket-sitter Awesomeness (James MacDonald) came to the outside and tried to gain on the leader, but it was to no avail as Western Fair remained clear, hitting the wire a length and a quarter to the good in 1:53 2/5. Roll Away Joe (Louis-Philippe Roy) came in third, followed by Lyons Snyder and Sintra.

"I think the race was won right at the start. Once I crossed over I had a pretty good feeling then," said Henry. "I knew Jody was going to be coming with the favorite, and he's got a really quick foot to him. Once I got to the next turn and he was still out there three-wide I knew I had him beat."

Western Fame is a son of Western Ideal trained by Jimmy Takter for owner-breeder Brittany Farms. This was his tenth career victory, and he has now earned C$730,416. Sent off as the 6-1 second choice, Western Fame paid $14.80 to win.