Kennel Buddy put an end to Thundering Ovation's win streak in the $11,000 Preferred 2 Handicap Trot at The Raceway at the Western Fair District while starting up his own on Friday night.
After posting three straight wire-to-wire wins from late January to early February in the track's Preferred 2 class, Thundering Ovation looked like she was about to make it a grand slam after leading her seven foes through fractions of :29.4, 1:01.4 and 1:31 in Friday's feature event.
However, five-year-old gelding Kennel Buddy, a winner last Friday night while Thundering Ovation took a break from racing action, advanced first up from third and surged by the popular mare in deep stretch for the two and a half length victory in 2:01. The track was rated "good" with a six second variant on the -19 degree evening in London, Ont. Rounding out the top three finishers was Winzel, who followed three lengths behind off a pocket trip.
David Dowling trains the Ken Warkentin gelding for owner Allan Neal of Grand Bend, Ont. while Travis Henry was enlisted to drive.
Kennel Buddy has yet to finish out of the money in six seasonal starts, including three wins and two second-place finishes. He's earned over $20,000 from those races and over $145,000 lifetime.
Kennel Buddy paid $10.70 to win as the 4-1 third choice.
Meanwhile, Alfie Carroll added to his Canadian season-leading win total as he reeled off three straight victories to open the card and picked up another later in the seventh race. Carroll now boasts 67 wins in 2015.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Western Fair.