Thee Desperado ($11.40) was intent on the early lead and never looked back in Wednesday evening’s (April 11) featured $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot at The Raceway at Western Fair District, holding off all comers in a 1:59 victory over a flat mile.

After an early-race break cost him all chance on the step up to Preferred company a fortnight ago, the five-year-old Manofmanymissions gelding demonstrated a much smoother start this night and pocketed Stonebridge Score (Tyler Borth) in a first-turn duel before controlling early sectionals of :28.3 and :59.2. With three-eighths to go, All Out Henry (Scott Young)—who commenced a first-over push from fourth nearing race’s midpoint—turned up the pressure on the pacesetter, who responded in kind with a :28.3 third sectional while his main danger, fours-on favourite Flying Isa N (Louis-Philippe Roy), gapped cover badly up the far side.

All Out Henry’s challenge intensified midway around the far turn, but Thee Desperado was unwavering under J Harris’s urging off the corner. Not only did Thee Desperado hold off his direct challenger, but he kept a late-lunging Tymal Diamond (Peter Core) just over a length at bay. All Out Henry stayed on respectably, but was just nosed out for second in the shadow of the winning post.

Thee Desperado, a winner in three of his last four starts, now has won 13 races in his career. Terry McKibblin trains for owners Karen and Daniel MacIntyre, Joshua McKibblin and Nancy Newport.

To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.