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 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).
One Wicked Man ($5.20) is owned by James Perrot. The sophomore son of Mcwicked - Alexander Valley won his first race in 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 1:53.2 mark lowered the former track record from 1:53.3, which was shared by Southside Eddy and Fern Hill Gusto, who both set that mark in 2022.
The second division for pacing colts 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 as he won his first race in his first try of the year. In 12 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 ladies 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 as she 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 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 as she won her second race from four starts this year and fifth race from seven career starts. She now shows $11,722 earned. Woodmere Betcha paid $7.20 to win.
American Risk ($2.70) won the $2,500 Winners Over Pace 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)