Doug McNair mapped out a pretty trip for Watkins in Monday’s $34,000 Preferred Trot at Woodbine Racetrack, and the gelding kicked back a handsome return to his backers in the featured tilt.
Watkins turned a two-hole ride into a 1:53.2 score, and he did so at odds of 14-1. Sent off as the longest shot on the board, the six-year-old son of Striking Sahbra-Sarong Hall sat behind Frenchfrysnvinegar through fractions of :27.3, :56.3 and 1:25.2 before slipping through at the pylons to win by a neck over the tempo-setter in 1:53.2. Zeus Lightning, who was first-over around the final turn, grabbed the show dough.
Matthew McManus of Burlington, ON owns Watkins who notched his first win of the year from seven attempts. The lion’s share of the purse boosted the 23-time winner’s lifetime earnings to $350,803.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.