Trainer Rod Hughes, best known as the trainer and co-owner of San Pail, the 2011 Horse of the Year in Canada and the U.S., notched his 100th training win on Saturday at Kawartha Downs.
Hughes was also in the race bike behind The Rock, a three-year-old son of Sportswriter that he sent straight to the front in race five and went on to win by two lengths in 1:54.1. The time shaved more than two seconds off the gelding's previous lifetime mark earned last month also at the Fraserville track. Hughes, of Dunsford, Ontario, also owns the winner, a $10,000 yearling purchase who now has over $17,000 earned lifetime.
Earlier on the card, Hoosier Lucky Lady visited the Kawartha Downs’ winner’s circle with a new life mark for the second straight week. Last week, trainer and co-owner George Large guided the three-year-old filly to her first lifetime win. Tonight, he enlisted the services of Kawartha’s leading driver, Gord Brown, and the result was her second straight win in a life-best 1:58.2. Large, of Puslinch, Ontario, shares ownership of the winner, a daughter of Secrets Nephew, with Michael Doersam. American Curves, a two-year-old filly making her first lifetime start for co-owner/trainer/driver Murray Brethour, finished a strong second. She is the second foal from a half-sister to $1 million winner Domethatagain.
Brown had a pair of wins on the card as did Doug Hie.
Live harness racing returns to Kawartha Downs next Saturday night with a 7 p.m. post time. The track's next special night will be September 5 when they celebrate the career of the incredible trotter Goodtimes, who began and ended his illustrious career at Kawartha Downs.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Kawartha Downs.
(With files from Kawartha Downs)