Stephen Palermo's Nebraska Jack ($8.00) worked his way back into the win column on a chilly Wednesday night (Nov. 18) at The Raceway at the Western Fair District, outlasting a late charge from odds-on favourite Lefkada to narrowly win the featured $8,500 Preferred 3 Handicap Trot.
Nebraska Jack worked clear of Scene A Magician (Greg Dustin) into the first turn, and driver Marc St. Louis promptly applied the brakes to rate a :29.1 first quarter and a 1:00.1 first half. Things got tougher for the seven-year-old Cantab Hall gelding in the second circuit, though, as Willyorwonthe (Daryl Thiessen) emerged out of midfield to apply sustained first-over pressure to three-quarters in 1:29.2 and around the final turn.
While Nebraska Jack dismissed his outside rival with a furlong to go, he was far from home free as Lefkada (Scott Wray) took a strong shot in the stretch after chasing Willyorwonthe's cover. Both Lefkada and Sheena Soldier (Paul MacKenzie) made up significant amounts of ground in the homestretch, but Nebraska Jack found the line in time, prevailing by a head in 2:01. Lefkada was second; Sheena Soldier finished third, defeated by only a half length after rallying down the grandstand side.
Steve Bossence trains 24-time winner Nebraska Jack, who now has won two of three starts at the current Western Fair meeting.
To view Wednesday's full results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at the Western Fair District.