Tommy Riley, one of Kawartha Downs’ top trainers, and Tony Kerwood, a leading driver at the Fraserville oval, combined on Saturday night to capture the inaugural edition of the $10,000 Goodtimes Invitational Trot with Rose Run Oriana.
Kerwood sent the five-year-old mare straight to the top and tripped the quarter mile marker in :27.1. Gord Brown put favourite Kyestone Wyatt on top well before the :56.1 half and still controlled the tempo at the 1:26.2 three-quarters. Rose Run Oriana loved the pocket trip though and hauled down the leader and was first to the wire in 1:56.4. Excuse Me Please got up for second followed by Ramas Last Son and Keystone Wyatt.
Rolling Hills Racing Stable of Uxbridge, Ont. and Dimithri Pieris of Mississauga, Ont. share ownership of the winner, who was recording her third victory of the season.
A member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Goodtimes began and ended his illustrious career at Kawartha Downs. His trainer and co-owner, John Bax, his driver, Hall of Famer Dave Wall, and his caretaker, Julie Morrison Kangas, were in attendance at Kawartha Downs for the evening. All race fans were treated to posters depicting the three with Goodtimes over the years, signed by Goodtimes himself.
Also of note, Nick Boyd and Justin Turcotte both had driving doubles and a horse by the name of Betterlatethnnever certainly lived up to his name, winning his first lifetime start tonight at the age of six.
Racing returns to Kawartha Downs next Saturday night, which will be the first of two Memorial Nights. First post is 7 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Kawartha Downs.
(With files from Kawartha Downs)