Class came through at Scarborough Downs on Saturday as the veteran pacer, Ontario-bred Wholly Louy, claimed victory in the $6,000 Free For All event
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A terror in the upper conditioned classes throughout his career, Wholly Louy made his first start in the State of Maine a winning one for new owners Michelle Nelson and Scott Dillon.
Now trained by Joseph Nelson and reined to victory by Heath Campbell, the eight-year-old son of Camluck secured his 42nd career victory from only 150 lifetime starts, while adding to his impressive bankroll, which now exceeds $840,000.
“He’s always been a grinder throughout his career,” said Joseph Nelson. “With the exception of sire stakes as a youngster, he’s made just about all of his money in overnight events. He did race for three years in a row in the Levy Memorial at Yonkers. This will be his first year not competing in that race; he won a leg but never a final. He just made all of that money, year-in and year-out, racing the top classes along the Eastern Seaboard.”
Regally bred and oozing back class, Wholly Louy wasted precious little time making his presence known among the State of Maine Free For All ranks. 2011 Horse of the Year Malek Hanover (Chris Long) finished second. Test Flight (Ron Cushing) finished third. The mile, timed in 1:56, was the fastest clocking of the season yet at Scarborough Downs.
“We’re hopeful that he’ll continue his successful career here in Maine,” continued Nelson. “While his glory days at the big-time level may be behind him, he’s still an amazing race horse.”
Scarborough Downs continues the weekend’s activities with an Easter matinee on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. Scarborough Downs will be the only American harness track racing on Sunday.
(With files from Scarborough Downs)