Boomboom Ballykeel got off to an icy start to the season, but he fired it up Tuesday evening thanks to a come-from-behind tally in the $11,000 Preferred 2 Handicap at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
After going home empty handed in his first three starts of the season at Woodbine Racetrack, trainer Richard Moreau opted to give Boomboom Ballykeel a spin over the London, Ontario half-mile oval – and it was a move the paid of handsomely for the OSS graduate.
Trevor Henry got away seventh with the four-year-old son of Mach Three-Teig N Riley while race favourite Emerald Lexus fired to the front and chopped out fractions of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:26. Kendal Gustav put pressure on the leader while racing first-over, while Boomboom Ballykeel found himself tracking cover from third-over going into the final quarter of the contest. A :29.2 closing quarter helped Boomboom Ballykeel circle up and drive away to the one-length score over Kendal Gustav in 1:56. Emerald Lexus weakened late and settled for the show dough.
Sent off at odds of 5-1, Boomboom Ballykeel won for the ninth time in his career for Ballykeel Racing Inc of Tillsonburg, Ontario. The homebred has stashed away career earnings of $534,256.
Conflict Diamond extended his winning streak to two-in-a-row thanks to a first-over triumph in the $7,700 Preferred 3 in the evening’s finale.
Alfie Carroll rallied the pacer to the lead in the late stages of the mile and eventually drew clear to win by 1-1/4 lengths over For A Bettor Time in 1:57.4. Taking home third prize was Lucky King.
It was a 5-1 upset for the 15-time winner who is now 2-for-4 this season for owner/trainer Larry Johnson of London, Ontario. The lion’s share of the loot lifted his lifetime earnings over $75,000.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.