Leamington Raceway hosted the 2023 season finale on Sunday, Nov. 5 with a 10-race card to close out the season's action. Fox Valley Ontario headlined the card with a victory in the $7,000 Preferred 4 Trot, while Garrett Rooney and George Robinson topped the card as driver and trainer, respectively.
In the afteroon's feature, Fox Valley Ontario landed in sixth off the car and through the first panel in :28.1 before Garrett Rooney tipped the Randall Fulmer pupil to the outside. Fox Valley Ontario clicked into third on the outside through the half in :59.3 and three-quarters in 1:30. Down the lane, the colt achieved command of the field and continued on to win by two lengths in 2:01.2. Playfull Elegance (Dennis Duford) took second while pacesetting Shouldaknownbetter (Anthony Hamlin) had to settle for the show spot.
Fulmer co-owns the sophomore son of Muscle Mass and the Andover Hall mare Dont Think Twice with Phillip Katcher. He earned his fifth victory this season after a winless freshman campaign. Fox Valley Ontario paid $4.10 to win.
Oldfriendskentucky was honoured during the season finale as part of his retirement ceremony. The 14-year-old gelding pacer has a record of 39-40-48 in 466 career starts with $228,470 earned in his career. His career mark of 1:52.4 was taken at Georgian Downs as a three-year-old. Stephen Roberts trains Oldfriendskentucky and co-owns with Laura Roberts.
George Robinson achieved a training triple on the card with Livin Large ($3.20), So Strange ($3.10) and Big Mach N ($22). Rooney piloted Robinson's trainees to victory as part of a five-win sum of his own on the season finale. He earned his remaining two victories with the feature winner Fox Valley Ontario and Kim Biekx trainee Minnie Million ($2.30).
Rooney extended his lead and solidified his status as the 2023 leading driver at Leamington Raceway with 40 wins collected on the year. Nicholas Steward earned the second spot with 21 victories, while Dan Clements took third with 17 wins.
Robinson concluded the season with 16 training victories to earned the 2023 leading trainer title. Cameron McQueen (10) finished second in the standings, while Michael Carther (eight) was third.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.