Hollys Treasure capitalized from a front-end battle to post a 7-1 upset in the featured dash during a special Kentucky Derby Saturday afternoon card of harness racing on May 4 at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Driver Dan Clements didn't mind being sent off as the second longest shot on the board, and positioned Hollys Treasure forwardly off the gate in the $11,600 Preferred Pace from post two. The only horse to their inside was Docsphillycheese, and driver Alfie Carroll used that inside spot to gain the early advantage.
Travis Henry asked Better Be Gouda for early speed, but his post six starting position made that attempt more difficult. Carroll didn't yield, and Clements kept that pocket closed, forcing Better Be Gouda to accept the Forest City parking ticket through fractions of :27 and :56.
Down the backside, Better Be Gouda's bid began to buffer and that provided Clements room to angle from the pocket approaching the third quarter. When the timer for that station flashed up in 1:25.3, Holly Treasure had a full head of steam and cleared the early pacesetter with ease. A :28.4 final quarter sealed the deal, with the win margin nearly four lengths after a mile in 1:54.3. Docsphillycheese stayed for second, holding off favoured Pembrook Legancy N (Jason Ryan).
Trained by Future Star Award winner at the 2023 O'Brien Awards, Cassidy Schneider, Hollys Treasure (State Treasurer-L H Hollys Cam) is a homebred owned by Colonel Schneider Jr., of Arthur, Ont. The six-year-old gelding picked up his fifth seasonal win and 24th career victory, boosting his overall bankroll to $167,259. As the 7-1 choice, he paid $16.70 to win.
One race prior, Rye N Clyne looked to be stymied in his attempt for five straight wins, but room opened up in the stretch up the pylons and driver Garrett Rooney was able to successfully stickhandle the veteran pacer inside pacesetter Macho Polo (Brett MacDonald) for the win by just over a length in 2:00.1.
Cameron McQueen was the trainer of Rye N Clyne, a 10-year-old Vintage Master - Undone Hanover gelding with 55 wins and nearly $240,000 in earnings, but the iron horse was claimed from Cecilia Richardson of London, Ont. by James Napper of Thamesville, Ont.
With the special Saturday afternoon card taking the place of the traditional Monday evening offering, live harness racing resumes at Western Fair on Tuesday, May 7.
For results, click the following link: Saturday Results - The Raceway at Western Fair District.
(Standardbred Canada)