P L Ozzy rewrote the longstanding record for an aged pacing stallion at Kawartha Downs on Saturday, Aug. 23 with a commanding showing in the $6,000 Preferred Handicap Pace.

The groundwork for the record performance was laid as P L Ozzy (Nick Boyd) and Arties Ideal (Damian MacLellan) battled for the lead throughout the first quarter, creating a :25.2 panel. P L Ozzy repelled that rival, sending him back to the three-hole, and tore away to a five-length advantage by the midway point in :53.

He maintained a solid tempo to three-quarters in 1:21, with only Sauble Ace (Ryan Guy) within striking distance at that third station. P L Ozzy allowed no gains from that rival down the stretch and finished strongly to win by 2-3/4 lengths, stopping the clock in 1:50.1. Howmac Victor (Brad Rae) was third.

P L Ozzy’s mile displaced the 1:50.2 standard set by Hilarious Halo in 2011. He was three-fifths of a second off the overall record of 1:49.3, which is held by Zooka.

P L Ozzy earned his fourth victory of the season in 14 attempts, and his first for trainer Amanda Riley and owners Bryn Campbell of Port Hope, Ont. and Barry McClennan of Cavan, Ont. since they claimed him on July 26. The seven-year-old son of Sunshine Beach-Taylorlane Action has won 29 of 104 lifetime outings and earned $353,627. He paid $3.80 to win.

Handsome Sebastian was sharp off a four-month layoff as he went all the way to take the $6,000 Preferred Trot. Three horses were left in contention following the break of Masterwork (MacLellan), and Handsome Sebastian was in front immediately for Doug Hie. He was unchallenged through fractions of :28.4, :58.1, and 1:26.3, but Villefranche As (Boyd) popped the pocket passing three-quarters to take his shot. He advanced alongside the leader on the final turn, but Handsome Sebastian kicked away under confident handling from Hie to score in 1:56. Villefranche As was second, beaten 1-1/2 lengths, with Malone (Reg Gassien) well back in third.

The win for Handsome Sebastian, owned and trained by Cindy Horner of Cavan Monaghan, Ont., came in his second start in the last seven months. The son of Sebastian K S-Pacific Edge is now one-for-four this year. The seven-year-old has won 13 times and earned $245,310 in 80 career starts. He returned $5.40.

There were also two $8,000 divisions of the Prospect Series Leg 4A for rookie pacing fillies, won by Like A Fine Wine ($6.30) in 1:57.2 with MacLellan driving for trainer Kyle Fellows, and Stompa ($3.50) in 1:56.3, driven by Gassien for Mike Timpano.

John and Vicky Bax were honoured during the card, adding another local connection to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Kawartha Downs has been the home track, and launching pad, for the careers of John Bax (Trainer, 2025), Paul MacDonell (Driver, 2020), San Pail (Standardbred, 2016), Doug Brown (Driver, 2006), Goodtimes (Standardbred, 2004), and Billyjojimbob (Standardbred, 1995). 

To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Kawartha Downs.

(Standardbred Canada; with files from Kawartha Downs)