Oldfriendskentucky was treated to a pocket ride by driver J Harris in the Monday evening finale at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and the pacer rewarded his reinsman with the 1,000th win of his career.
Harris left alertly from the rail with Oldfriendskentucky, and together they managed to stalk the pacesetting Stoney Durkin through panels of :29, :59.4 and 1:28.1. Harris revved up the engine on Oldfriendskentucky when room opened up in the lane, and the gelding kicked home in :29.3 to win by a head over race favourite Canadian Edition in 1:58.1.
The milestone win comes for Harris in the midst of a season in which he’s racked up 57 wins and more than $350,000 in purse earnings. The Hagersville, Ont. horseman celebrated career-best numbers last season thanks to 244 trips to victory lane and a purse haul in excess of $1.4 million.
They Call Me Gordy and Champagne Phil bolstered their resumes thanks to victories in their respective Preferred assignments during Monday’s card at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
They Call Me Gordy took home the lion’s share of the $7,500 offered up in his Preferred 3 tilt for horse and gelding pacers. Scott Young fired the gelding to the front from Post 3 and together they sliced out splits of :28.4, :59.4 and 1:28.1 before kicking home in :28.2 to win by 3-1/4 lengths over Rock N Roll Legacy in 1:56.3. Don Mcwhite took home the show dough.
Sent off as the even-money favourite, the six-year-old son of Arizona Liar-Its All The Rave improved his 2017 record to 3-1-2 from 10 starts for owner/trainer Kyle Bossence of Arthur, Ont. The 15-time winner pushed his lifetime earnings over $100,000 with the triumph.
Champagne Phil used the same tactical approach to capture the second division of the class in 1:55 for driver Scott Coulter and trainer Dean Nixon.
Bet down to odds of 1-5, the seven-year-old son of Shanghai Phil-Champagne Gal hustled the field through fractions of :27.3, :57.4 and 1:26.2 and then sealed the deal with a final quarter clocked in :28.3. He won by three lengths over Good Friday Three. Adore Him rounded out the top three finishers.
ICR Racing of Pefferlaw, Ont. owns the 29-time winner who is 3-for-12 this year. The speedster, who owns a mark of 1:49.4, is closing in on $370,000 in career earnings.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.