Casimir Jitterbug, driven by Doug McNair, earned his third consecutive victory in the $34,000 Preferred Pace with a 1:52.2 front-stepping effort over the snowy surface on Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack.
Sparky Mark (Scott Zeron), a runner-up in the last two Preferreds, emerged between horses to take the early lead into a :27-second opening panel while inside starter Windfall Blue Chip (Keith Oliver) settled into the two-hole and three-wide Casimir Jitterbug briefly dropped into third.
However, McNair had the 9-5 favourite back out and rolling during the second quarter and made the lead at the :56.2 half-mile mark.
Casimir Jitterbug was pressured by first over challenger Anderlecht (Anthony MacDonald) as he neared the 1:25.3 three-quarters mark, but opened up two lengths on top with a :26.4 final frame to keep his 2013 record perfect in three starts. Sparky Mark settled for runner-up honours yet again, edging out Anderlecht at the wire.
The victory was Casimir Jitterbug's 25th lifetime and boosted his bankroll to $347,423.
Tony O'Sullivan trains the six-year-old Ontario-bred son of Sir Luck for owner Frank Bellino of Bronxville, New York.
Casimir Jitterbug paid $5.70 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.