The standout sophomore pacer Sixdaysontheroad posted the fastest mile ever on a half-mile track in Western Canada on Saturday afternoon at Grande Prairie when he rolled to a dazzling 1:53.3 score in the opener, but Weekend Bernie later topped that time winning the $11,000 Open Pace in 1:52.4
.
Sixdaysontheroad, who has recently been battling back and forth with Wrangler Hitech as track record holder for three-year-old pacing colts, lowered the former 1:55.2 record that he held with his rival in Saturday’s first race conditioner. The Allamerican Native-Resume Speed colt carved out fractions of :28.2, :57.1 and 1:26.2 en route to a six and three-quarter length score in 1:53.3 for trainer/drive Ron Graham. The time of the mile also lowered the all-time track record by one-fifth of a second, which was previously held by Weekend Bernie.
Kg Explorer (Rene Goulet) finished second over the pocket-sitter Bestnotlie Hanover (Bobby Clark).
Owned by Walter Moroz, Edmonton, Alta., Sixdaysontheroad is now seven-for-seven in his 2009 campaign. The lion’s share of the $6,000 purse pushed the nine-time winner’s career bankroll to $28,083.
In the afternoon’s feature race, Weekend Bernie and driver Rod Hennessy claimed back his title as the all-time track record holder when he pulled the pocket after a :27.4 opening quarter put up by his stablemate Barona Ferrari (Mike Hennessy). The seven-year-old son of As Promised-Shes A Gogetter bypassed the remaining panels of :55.4 and 1:24.2 before stopping the clock in 1:52.4, setting a new track record and lowering his own record for aged pacers.
Neal Diamonique (Bill Tainsh, Jr.) finished a length and a quarter behind in second forcing Barona Ferrari to settle for third.
Owned by Rod and Lorne Duffield of Edmonton, Alta., Weekend Bernie scored his sixth win in 11 outings this year. His 33rd career win pushed his bankroll to $564,177.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click here.