When Litizor made his six-year-old debut on July 6 at The Loop, he finished a solid fourth just two lengths back of race winner Armycaptin Hanover.
Since then, he's raced 13 times in the province of Manitoba and hasn't missed the top three.
In fact, most of his finishes have been in the top two. Only twice has he finished third. Four times he's been the runner-up, but his favourite spot is definitely on top. That's where he's ended exactly half of his 14 seasonal appearances after winning the $7,000 Open Handicap Pace at The Loop on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Driver Don Howlett launched Litizor off the gate from the outermost post five, and the 3-1 second choice finally cleared Mach Jacobs (dean Rey) after a :30 opening quarter. The tempo slowed through the middle panels, with Litizor fronting the field through a 1:00.4 half and 1:32.3 third station, where pressure from favoured Armycaptin Hanover (Michel Rey) appeared to be the most serious. Litizor wasn't phased by that foe, and kicked out a :29.4 final quarter to pull away for a two-length tally in 2:02.2. Armycaptin Hanover stayed for second with Flying Officer copping the show spot.
Litizor (Vertical Horizon - Mothers Melody) now sports 19 career wins and nearly $93,000 in earnings. Mathew Howlet handles the training for his father, Don and co-owner Dwayne Taylor of Minto, Man. He returned $8 to win.
Pacing mare Nonversation ($2.80) sports a similar consistency in her 14-start campaign. While not quite as successful as Litizor in terms of victories, she's posted a 4-5-3 summary through her four-year-old season, with that fourth win coming in Saturday's $7,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace.
Sent postward as the 2-5 choice, Nonversation settled away in fourth for driver Richard Remillard as Singing Ramona (Don Howlett) stepped to the front of the group for tempo-setting purposes. After a :30.1 opener, Nonversation started a first-over move to pressure Singing Ramona through a 1:01.3 half and 1:33.2 third station. The strain on the leader was too much to bear, and Nonversation pulled away in the stretch to win by more than three lengths in 2:04.2. Singing Ramona stuck around for the runner-up spot, with Treasure Horizon (Paula Mason) completing the triactor ticket.
Tara Isman trains Nonversation, a daughter of Mystician - Say Anything for herself, driver Remillard and Jim Wilson of Regina, Sask. The mare's earnings after her 10th lifetime win are just shy of the $75,000 mark.
The Loop concludes its 2024 season next Saturday, Oct. 12.
For the results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Winnipeg, click the following link: Saturday Results - The Loop.
(Standardbred Canada)