With a full calendar year elapsed since his last pari-mutuel start, veteran pacer Father Ofthe Year was in peak condition for his 2020 debut at Exhibition Park Raceway on Saturday (June 13).

Driver Mike Downey had his sights set on the lead with Father Ofthe Year in Saturday's $1,200 Winners Over feature event, and he landed on the lead early. The duo had company, however, in the form of Woodmere Ideal Art (Robert Laffin). Those two pacers slugged it out through a :27.4 opening panel with Father Ofthe Year prevailing to front the field. After a :30.3 second stanza to hit the half in :58.2, Father Ofthe Year had to repel yet another challenge from Woodmere Ideal Art through the third quarter, with the third marker reached in 1:28. Father Ofthe Year rebuffed that challenge yet again and showed absolutely no signs of race rust, opening up through a :29.1 final quarter to win easily by four lengths in 1:57.1.

Dr. Mitchell Downey of Saint John, N.B. owns and Ellen Stevenson trains Father Ofthe Year, who picked up his 15th lifetime win in the process. The seven-year-old son of Royal Mattjesty - Shes Determined is now unbeaten in his last three starts at Exhibition Park dating back to May 2019. Lifetime at EPR, Father Ofthe Year sports a 7-3-1 record at the New Brunswick half-miler in 11 appearances.

For the results from the Saturday card of harness racing at Exhibition Park, click the following link: Saturday Results - Exhibition Park Raceway.