Cowboys Like Us came up a head short en route to finishing third in a division of the March Madness Series at Kawartha Downs one week ago, but he was much the best when the big money was on the line in Thursday’s final

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Trainer/driver Per Henriksen wasted no time rolling Cowboys Like Us to the position of command from the pole position, and after slicing out splits of :29.4, 1:02 and 1:32.3 the veteran only needed to trot home in :30.1 to post the 2-1/2 lengths score in 2:02.4. Eugene Lavictoire was second best, with Sadie Eden taking home third prize in the $12,000 affair.

The 10-year-old son of Conway Hall, who is owned by Patricia Chirrey of Warkworth and Henriksen of Norwood, ON, didn’t disappoint an army of backers that sent him off as the post time favourite. The gelding is now a four-time winner this season and a 39-time winner in his career. The $6,000 payday lifted his lifetime earnings to $265,114.

Kawartha’s top teamster of 2011, Gord Brown, padded his lead atop the drivers’ standings thanks to a four-win performance at the Fraserville oval. He clicked in the sixth race with Jolts Virtue (1:55.3) and followed up that triumph with scores behind Manzzuto (2:01) in Race 9, Scottery Tickets (1:57.1) in Race 10 and CMR Maybe Loaded (1:59.3) in Race 12.

Brown leads all Kawartha reinsmen with 41 victories. James MacDonald and Aaron Byron are tied for second in the standings with 23 wins apiece.

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Kawartha Downs.