A solid group of trotters squared off in the Monday evening feature at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and O’Brien Award winner Perfetto started off his 2021 campaign with a winning effort.
Voted the nation’s Older Trotting Horse of the Year after manufacturing a 7-3-3 record from 25 starts and banking over $150,000, Perfetto secured a 1:55.4 victory in his first start off the bench for trainer/driver Dagfin Henriksen.
P L Jill shot to the early lead and had the field chasing her through first half-fractions of :27.4 and :57.2. Race favourite Its Academic popped out of the pocket to go after the leader at the mid-way point of the final turn, and they were stride for stride past the three-quarter pole in 1:26.3. Perfetto, who got away sixth and swung to the outside on the way to the half, was spotted second over as the field turned for home.
Its Academic appeared to be on his way to the win, but he switched to the pace in the late stages of the mile. Despite crossing the line first, he was later set back to seventh for a violation of the breaking rule. Perfetto, who fell short by a neck, was placed first as a result of the disqualification. P L Jill was third-placed-second and Memo was fourth-placed-third. Time for the mile in the $28,000 conditioned event was 1:55.4.
Sent off as the third choice in the wagering, Perfetto won for the 17th time in his career for owner Gerald Haggerty of Camden East, Ont. The lion’s share of the purse bumped his career bankroll over $400,000.
Driver Louis Philippe Roy bumped his career bankroll over $25 million thanks to a second-place finish in Race 3 with trotter Tymal Riggs.
The native of Quebec, who now resides in Guelph, ON, has celebrated five consecutive seasons of banking over $1 million in earnings. The multiple O’Brien Award winner, who has registered more than 1,600 wins in his career, has quickly become one of Canada’s most sought after reinsmen.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.