The judge was kept busy at the National Equestrian Centre as a thrilling afternoon of Harness Pony Racing on Vesey Street culminated in four photo finishes and the fastest times of the 2026 season.
In a day defined by razor-thin margins, the presiding official was called upon to settle multiple dead heats, starting in the 1:07&1 - 1:08&3 Time Bar Class. Victoria's Secret, driven by Candyce Martins, and Reel Desire, piloted by Liam Stones, crossed the wire in an identical time of 1:06/2. After a careful review of the tape, Martins was awarded the win by the narrowest of margins, while Kool The Fire and D.J. Burchall followed closely in 1:06/4.
The drama continued in Heat Nine of the 1:03&1 - 1:04&1 bracket, where another tie at the line forced the judge into action. Rockeyed Optimist, with Maurice Raynor in the bike, and Huntinforgold, driven by Tahzii Flood, both clocked a blistering 1:04/0. Raynor was eventually ruled the victor in what was one of the most competitive heats of the afternoon.
History repeated itself in the 1:04&2 - 1:05&3 Time Bar Class, as Jashaun Young and Holy Grail went nose-to-nose with D.J. Burchall behind Inwood's Realist. Both ponies recorded a time of 1:05/2, with Young securing the decision to add another victory to his season's tally.
The atmosphere reached a fever pitch for the final race of the day, featuring the elite 1:03 and Faster Division. In a spectacular display of speed, Red October, driven by Philip Correia, and Smart Machine, with Candyce Martins at the helm, recorded the joint-fastest times of the day at 1:02 flat. After a final consultation, Correia was awarded the win, capping off an afternoon of heart stopping racing that saw the track record threatened on multiple occasions.
Click Here to see the Full January 11th 2026 Harness Pony Racing Results
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