Skeet Thunder rebounded from a pair of recent breaks that resulted in respective fifth and eighth place finishes by capturing the $7,000 final leg of the Parkers Memorial Trotting Series Thursday at Colonial Downs.
The four-year-old SOS Lunar Eclipse gelding earned a first-leg victory in 1:58.3 two weeks ago but stumbled in the second series leg and a “winners over” race this past Saturday. Corey Braden took over driving duties for trainer Richard Bertrand Thursday, who had been in the sulky for Skeet Thunder’s last three starts.
Braden, who is leading reinsman at the ten day old meet, trotted fifth among the nine-horse field at the three quarters mark, then went three-wide heading into the straightaway. Skeet Thunder passed the prior leaders including front stepper I Concur who broke stride, then faced My Heidi who came up from behind.
Skeet Thunder prevailed in a lifetime best 1:56.4, two lengths ahead of Jane Dunavant’s My Heidi. The winner is co-owned by Doug Flores and Richard Bertrand.
Colonial Downs returns to action Saturday with a 10-race card.
(Colonial Downs)