The winning streaks continued for Preferred contenders Rose Run Hooligan and El Toro Grande Tuesday evening at Kawartha Downs
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With Simon Allard at the reins, Rose Run Hooligan survived a first-over trip en route to victory in the featured $16,500 Preferred Trot.
The even money favourite left from Post 6 and was on the move early. Macho Lindy (Jason Brewer) set the tempo while Rose Run Hooligan, a six-year-old Corleone bay, advanced on the outside through panels of :28 and :58.3 before hooking up with the pacesetter at the third quarter station in 1:27.4. Using a :29.1 final frame, Rose Run Hooligan was able to get up for the win stopping the clock in 1:57 flat.
Macho Lindy finished three-quarters of a length back in second while Sos Starmania (Pat Richer) finished third.
Rose Run Hooligan has been a fine addition to the Rene Allard barn having scored three back-to-back wins in four outings since he was privately purchased at the beginning of March by Allard, Anne O’keefe of Ferryland, Nfld., and Ferme Bureau Et Fils Senc of Saint-Leonard, Que. This evening, Rose Run Hooligan lifted his seasonal earnings to $52,500 with his fourth win of the year.
In the $12,000 Preferred 2 Pace, El Toro Grande also notched his third straight win for new trainer Des Tackoor and owner Thomas McKinlay of Trenton, Ont.
A six-year-old The Panderosa gelding, El Toro Grande got away third from Post 6 as Hide And Seek (Murray Samons) and Winning Breed (Brad Rae) battled for the front in a quick :26.3 first quarter. Hide And Seek had the inside advantage and after settling on top he led the way to the half in :55.3.
From there Tackoor moved El Toro Grande into the passing lane and the 8-5 choice applied pressure through three-quarters in 1:24.2, then grabbed the lead and sprinted home in :29 for the three and a half-length triumph in 1:53.2.
Winning Breed (Brad Rae) finished second and Aqua Powered (John Thomson) closed well to grab the show spot.
The win was El Toro Grande’s third of the year pushing his yearly earnings to nearly $20,000.
In other streaking action, Stepaside Larry returned to victory lane for the fifth consecutive time in his assignment, Race 9, for trainer Mark Winacott and teamster Gord Brown. The six-year-old son of Astreos, who is owned by the Eliot Sorella Stables of Saint-Laurent, Que., prevailed in 1:56.3.
To view Tuesday’s results, click here.