The train really came off the tracks last week for pacer R U Talkin who was a disappointing ninth in an overnight assignment at Woodbine Mohawk Park after previously reeling off four straight scores.
He got back in the good books on Thursday evening, however, and that was music to the ears of the players that backed him at odds of 6-1.
After his failed, front-end approach on February 14, the Barry Bird pupil used off-the-pace tactics to right the ship for reinsman Bob McClure. R U Talkin got away seventh and found himself more than 14 lengths away from early leader Lyons Beachboy who had the field chasing him to the quarter pole in :28.4.
Beatingtheodds brushed to the front in the backstretch and was the new leader while racing parked past the half in :59.3. He was still in command at the three-quarter pole in 1:28, but the backfield was starting to come to life. Race favourite Lets Have Another launched a three-wide bid around the final turn and was making good gains, but he was joined in the late stages by both R U Talkin and Fixed Idea.
R U Talkin’s final quarter kick of :26.4 was just enough to stave off Fixed Idea by a nose in 1:56. Lets Have Another, who came up a neck short, was third. The second and third place finishers both made the initial payment for this summer’s Pepsi North America Cup.
R U Talkin, a three-year-old son of Well Said-Ru In The Game, now boasts a 5-for-6 record this year after going 0-for-1 as a freshman. Barry and Debbie Bird share ownership on the career winner of $40,200 with Gerrie Tucker of Montreal, QC.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.