Last year's Remember Sudbury Stakes champion Casimir Jitterbug turned in a 1:50.3 career-best effort while winning for the first time on the WEG circuit Saturday evening in the $34,000 Preferred Pace.
With Doug McNair in the bike, the son of Sir Luck left from post one in his first start of the season and settled for a pocket ride behind favourite Sparky Mark (Randy Waples).
Sparky Mark carved out fractions of :27.1, :55.3, and 1:22.4 before being overtaken in the stretch. Kicking home in :27.1, Casimir Jitterbug bested the popular pacesetter by three-quarters of a length. Top Gear (Roger Mayotte) followed three lengths behind in third.
Casimir Jitterbug, who has earned cheques in his last three starts at Woodbine's Preferred level including a close second-place finish to Sparky Mark at the end of December, paid $9.70 to win.
The victory was the six-year-old gelding's 23rd lifetime and pushed his career bankroll over the $300,000 mark. He is trained by Tony O'Sullivan for owner Frank Bellino.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.