Hambletonian champ Royalty For Life to capture Canadian Trotting Classic

CAMPBELLVILLE, Ont. – Hambletonian winner Royalty For Length took the lead before the halfway point then cruised to a two-length victory in the $686,000 Canadian Trotting Classic for three-year-olds Saturday night.

Brian Sears drove the even-money favourite to the win in a stakes record-tying time of 1:52.2 at Mohawk Racetrack.

Your So Vain finished second while All Laid Out took third in the 10-horse field.

Earlier on Saturday night, Yannick Gingras of Sorel, Que., drove Father Patrick to an emphatic victory in the $365,000 William Wellwood Memorial Trot for two-year-old colts and geldings.

The 1-9 favourite took the lead at the half-mile point and romped to a six-length win in a stakes, Canadian and track record time of 1:53.4 ahead of 8-1 pick Harper Blue Chip and 15-1 longshot Credit Fashion.

And Paul MacDonell of Guelph, Ont., drove 6-5 favourite Riveting Rosie to victory in the $374,000 Peaceful Way for two-year-old filly trotters.

Riveting Rosie took the final in 1:56.1 ahead of Grammas Girl (25-1) and Game On Hanover (24-1) with White Becomes Her, a whopping 99-1 longshot, taking fourth.