Despite the abbreviated card at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Wednesday (Feb. 24), trainer Cameron McQueen earned the first victory of his career in just the final race on the evening before the card was abandoned.
McQueen’s victory came with Dabunka, a 10-year-old gelding by Matnamaras Band. The horse previously raced in Mandy Archer’s barn for one start before the Ontario lockdown began, and has since raced in the hands of owner-trainer Cameron McQueen.
In the race, driver James MacDonald dashed Dabunka to the top and never looked back. Over the “sloppy” going, Dabunka coasted through fractions of :30.2, 1:02.4 and 1:35.1 before the field began to reel i8n the loose pacesetter. Dabunka managed to keep a nose in front at the finish over a fast-closing Keaton, with Einhorn also rallying into the photo but settling for third.