Four-year-old Ontario Sires Stakes graduate Warrawee Needy turned in North America's fastest mile so far this season with a dazzling 1:48.3 triumph in Woodbine Racetrack's Saturday evening opener.
Leaving from post three in the $34,000 Preferred Pace, Warrawee Needy and driver Jody Jamieson cleared to command ahead of insider Ok Commander (Doug McNair) after the :25.2 opening quarter. However, the parked out Upfront Hoosierboy (Randy Waples) rolled on to take over as the field of seven moved into the backstretch. The new leader reached the half in :53.4 and three-quarters in 1:22.2 with Sing For Me George (Rick Zeron) applying first over pressure. The top two battled head-to-head into the stretch, but the rail opened up and Warrawee Needy slipped through to win by three-quarters of a length in a personal best 1:48.3.
Warrawee Needy paid $3.50 to win as the 3-5 favourite. Upfront Hoosierboy finished second and Sing For Me George was third.
The 1:48.3 mile was the first sub-1:50 win in Canada this year and was one-fifth of a second faster than the former North American season's mark posted by Golden Receiver on two occasions and equalled by Escape The News at Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Rockwood, Ont. trainer Carl Jamieson, who will be inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in August, leases the son of E Dees Cam. Warrawee Needy now boasts four wins and two seconds in six starts this year with $91,500 earned in purses. The win was his 17th lifetime and boosted his career bankroll to $920,925.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.