Making the jump to the Preferred level on the WEG circuit is seldom an easy task, but someone forgot to tell that to the white-hot Musical Rhythm.
The streaking son of Cantab Hall-Musical Victory came into Monday evening’s $34,000 Preferred for trotters riding a six-race winning streak, and the four-year-old phenom had no problem pushing the streak to seven straight for Team Baillargeon.
Mario Baillargeon rushed to the lead from Post 6 with Musical Rhythm, and together they led the field past the quarter marker in :27.1. Parked and pressing the favourite, however, was Fearless Man. That seasoned veteran cleared to the top and came under immediate attack from the parked out Zeus Lightning. Those two battled tooth and nail through middle fractions of :55.2 and 1:23.3. Musical Rhythm angled out of the pocket around the final turn before making a three-wide bid to get after the leaders. He used a :28.1 closing quarter to draw clear by four lengths over Zeus Lightning. Taking home the show dough was Burnin Money.
The 1:52 triumph was a career best for Musical Rhythm who established a new North American season’s record for trotters in the process. The previous record holder was Opulent Yankee (1:52.1 – Meadowlands – Jan. 22). The performance also tied Daylon Magician's track record for older trotting horses.
Trainer Ben Baillargeon co-owns the photogenic performer with Santo Vena, Nunzio Vena and Claude Hamel. It was the fifth score of the season for the 14-time winner who lifted his overall cash stash to $167,121 with the victory.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.