Sophomore trotting colt Turbo Donato continued his perfect record on the WEG circuit for the Baillargeon brothers on Friday night with a front-stepping score in Woodbine Racetrack's ninth race.
Turbo Donato has now won five races in a row, with his last four at Woodbine for his new ownership group. The Donato Hanover colt was purchased for $32,000 at the Harrisburg Sale in November by Rockwood, Ont. trainer Ben Baillargeon and partners Santo Vena of Brampton, Ont., Nunzio Vena of Bolton, Ont. and Craig Turner of Ingersoll, Ont.
Driven by Mario Baillargeon in Friday's $18,000 conditioned trot, 3-5 favourite Turbo Donato ($3.30) worked his way to the lead from post seven during the :27.4 opening quarter and proceeded to lead his nine rivals through middle splits of :57.4 and 1:28. As he entered the homestretch, first over Whata Donato and Per Henriksen offered up a serious challenge nearly matching strides with the tempo-setter, but Turbo Donato fought back to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:57 flat. Flight Of The Kiwi and Luc Ouellette edged out pocket-sitter Margarita Bi and Sylvain Filion for third nearly three lengths behind.
Turbo Donato is now five-for-six in his career with earnings totalling $39,000.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.