Four divisions of the Donnie and George Turner Memorial Stakes for Atlantic-foaled three-year-old pacers -- two for the fillies and two for the colts and geldings -- went postward on Thursday, May 15 at Truro Raceway and One Wicked Man was a step above the rest as he shaved a tick off of the track record for three-year-old pacing colts.
One Wicked Man stepped up to the plate in the stakes division for sophomore pacing colts and geldings and he hit a home run with a record tied to his 7-3/4-length triumphant performance, collecting the lion's share of the $13,460 purse.
Kenny Arsenault steered his student to victory from the rail position. The pair left and protected their pylon position, easing through the quarter in :27.4 and half in :57.3 with a 1-1/2-length lead. After the half, One Wicked Man opened up on the field, reaching four lengths ahead at the 1:25.4 three-quarters. Turning for home, One Wicked Man had five lengths on the field and he just kept on going to win by 7-3/4 lengths in 1:53.2. Evil Lou (Mike Mcguigan) finished second over Dj Mustang (Myles Heffernan).
The 1:53.2 mark lowered the former track record for three-year-old pacing colts from 1:53.3, which was shared by Southside Eddy and Fern Hill Gusto, who both set that mark in 2022. It was one second off the overall sophomore male mark, held by gelding Woodmere Stealdeal.
One Wicked Man ($5.20) is owned by James Perrot of Stratford, P.E.I. The sophomore son of McWicked-Alexander Valley won his first start of the year and now shows a record of 6-1-1 in nine career starts. He has $46,509 banked.
The second division for pacing colts and geldings was won by Rosetown Eclipse, on a gate-to-wire trip with trainer Corey MacPherson at the lines.
Rosetown Eclipse followed a similar route to One Wicked Man and protected his pylon position. After securing the lead, he never faced an anxious moment with fractions set in :29.2, 1:01.2 and 1:30.4 before crossing the wire in victory in 1:59. The Tulsa King (McGuigan) finished second over Like A King (Clare MacDonald).
Rosetown Stable, James Gorman and Mike Gorman co-own the sophomore gelded son of Bet The Moon-Brodys Leona, who also won his first race of the year. In 12 career starts, Rosetown Eclipse has banked $58,630 and returned with a record of 4-3-2. He paid $4.60 to win.
Woodmere Flojo kicked off the action for the sophomore fillies and overcame an interference break at the start to win with MacPherson in the bike for Jamie Smith.
A miscue at the start left the field in a scramble at the start and Woodmere Flojo regained stride and surged to claim the pocket position. The Smith student retained her position through the quarter-mile markers in :28.3, 1:00 and 1:29.3 before popping in the stretch to win by a half length in 1:59.1 over the pacesetter, Watch Me Shake It (Arsenault). Woodmere Honeymoon (Adam Merner) was third.
Gowiththeflo Racing owns the daughter of Arthur Blue Chip-Persistent, who scored for the second straight week, now retaining her perfect seasonal tally of two-for-two to date. Woodmere Flojo has posted a record of 5-3-3 in 13 starts with $50,839 banked. She paid $14.40 to win.
Woodmere Betcha closed out the stakes action with a win in the second division for fillies.
Piloted by Mike McGuigan for trainer Jamie Smith, Woodmere Betcha took back to fifth off the car and sat 6-3/4 lengths off the pacesetting Lorne Valley Liv (Arsenault) through the quarter in :28.4. With one quick burst of speed, Woodmere Betcha swept to the top and took command of the timer with the half set in :57.4 and three-quarters in 1:26.1. Woodmere Betcha opened up in the lane and won by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:55.2. Lorne Valley Liv took second and Mindbodyandsoul (Paul Langille) was third.
Thestable Woodmere Betcha owns the sophomore daughter of Bet The Moon-Very Ideal Hanover, who won for the second time from four starts this year and fifth time from seven career starts. She now has $11,722 earned. Woodmere Betcha paid $7.20 to win.
American Risk ($2.70) won the $2,500 Winners Over Pace leading from gate-to-wire in 1:56.1 with Paul Langille calling the shots for trainer George Rennison and owner Risky Bizz Group. The win was his 44th triumph and pushed his career sum to $139,025.
Live harness racing will resume at Truro Raceway next week on Friday, May 23 with post time at 6:30 p.m. ADT.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Truro Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)