Shouldaknownbetter kept a pair of challengers at bay late in the mile to prevail in the $6,000 Preferred 4 Handicap Trot featured at Leamington Raceway on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 27.

In his first of three winning drives on the back half of the program, Lorne House had Shouldaknownbetter on top through fractions of :27.3, :57.4 and 1:28.3 before they had to contend with the pocket-popping Workinitonbroadway (Donald Rankin) and even-money favourite Petro Angel (Scott Wray), who sprang into action from the back of the five-pack looking for her second straight win in the Leamington's top trot. Shouldaknownbetter dug in as the trotters turned for home and held them off by three-quarters of a length in 2:00.1 with Petro Angel, the only mare in the field, getting up for second over Workinitonbroadway.

A runner-up to Petro Angel last week, Shouldaknownbetter was sent postward as the 6-5 second choice and paid $4.70 to win. He has won three of his last five races at Leamington and now has nine wins on the year with $36,806 earned from 34 starts. Mike Hamlin trains and owns the six-year-old Deep Chip gelding, who is in the midst of his winningest season.

Leamington Raceway's meet will wrap up next Sunday, Nov. 3. Post time is 1 p.m.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada)