In the midst of a light dusting of snow, Parkhill Nonstop popped out of the pocket in the lane and roared away from the competition en route to capturing the final harness race ever contested at Woodbine Racetrack.
Monday’s 10-race card marked the end of a 25-year celebration of standardbred racing at the Rexdale, Ont. oval – an oval that witnessed a long list of pacing and trotting superstars strut their stuff over the oval.
Parkhill Nonstop enjoyed a two-hole trip in his $18,000 assignment with co-owner/trainer Pat Hudon at the helm. He tipped his charge out late and used a :28.4 closing panel to seal the deal by 5-1/4 lengths over Bred For Greatness. The time for the mile was 1:57.
Earlier on the card it was Big Rich stepping to a 1:53 triumph in the featured $34,000 Preferred Trot for the team of driver Louis Philippe Roy and trainer Richard Moreau.
The six-year-old son of Donato Hanover-Kidman Hall rolled to the lead from Post 6 and carved out fractions of :27, :55.4 and 1:23.4 before kicking home in :29.1 to win by 1-1/2 lengths over stablemate B Yoyo in 1:53. Cue Hall came on late to finish third.
It was a career-best clocking for the gelding, who is owned by 9099 3833 Quebec Inc and Frank Spagnolo. It was the third win of the year from nine tries and the 21st lifetime tally for the career winner of $436,728.
Harness racing will now head to Woodbine, Mohawk Park on a full-time basis beginning this Thursday evening. Post time for the first race is set for 7:30 p.m.
Horsepeople gather outside the Woodbine paddock for a farewell photo
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.