Live cover enabled Willyorwonthe ($25.00) to overcome a second-row start and spring an 11-1 upset over even-money choice Nebraska Jack in Wednesday evening’s (Feb. 14) featured $8,500 Preferred 3 trotting event at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
The five-year-old Angus Hall gelding was outsprinted by a trio of leavers to the clubhouse turn, including longshot Avuncular (Nick Steward), who burst to the fore before yielding to even-money favourite Nebraska Jack (Doug McNair) upon reaching the backstretch. While Nebraska Jack controlled early splits of :30.3 and 1:01.3, Willyorwonthe stalked comfortably from fourth before Alfie Carroll slid him second-over to follow the cover of Windsun Hugo (Robert Shepherd) into the second circuit.
As Windsun Hugo turned up the pressure on Nebraska Jack, Willyorwonthe was towed closer up the far side. In fact, the eventual winner had the opportunity to claim the pocket past three-quarters in 1:30.3 as Avuncular broke stride nearing the far turn, but Carroll elected to keep Willyorwonthe two-wide before angling a path deeper off a final-turn duel. Willyorwonthe responded at once and coasted away in the final 70 yards to claim his 14th career win in 2:01. Nebraska Jack, all-out in the stretch, finished two lengths back in second, while Charmbo Chrome (Paul MacKenzie) switched three-wide off the pegs in mid-stretch to mount a rally for third.
Trainer William Megens owns and bred Willyorwonthe, a winner on arrival from Woodbine following a dead-heat runner-up effort at the Toronto oval earlier in the month.
To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.