Racing returned to Leamington Raceway on Sunday, Oct. 15 with a 10-race card where Shouldaknownbetter and Michael Hamlin prevailed in a thriller in the $5,500 Preferred 4 Trot.
Starting from post five in the field of seven, Michael Hamlin put Shouldaknownbetter immediately on the engine, leading the field to the opening quarter in :29. Shouldaknownbetter relinquished the lead in the second quarter to his stablemate Duke Deo and Anthony Hamlin, who faced immediate pressure from Ranger Rob and Daniel Clements through a busy opening half of 1:00.3. The battle raged on the lead in the third quarter between Duke Deo and Ranger Rob before Shouldaknownbetter squeezed up the pylons on the backstretch to make it a three-horse battle at three-quarters in 1:30.1.
Shouldaknownbetter utilized his inside advantage on the turn to hit the top of the lane with the edge over Duke Deo. The duo continued to exchange blows in the stretch with Shouldaknownbetter prevailing by a head on the wire behind a :31.2 final quarter to score the victory in 2:01.4. Workinitonbroadway and Donald Rankin rallied for third. Shouldaknownbetter paid $5.70 to win.
Owned and trained by Hamlin, Shouldaknownbetter picked up second straight victory and third of 2023 in 28 starts. The five-year-old gelded son of Deep Chip-Lexis Electra vaulted his career earnings to $103,425 with the victory.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.