Trainer Nicholas Ahern recorded the first victory of his career on Saturday night (June 10) at Kawartha Downs, an evening which also saw driver Samuel Fillion visit the winner’s circle for five of the nine races.
Ahern sent Ultimate Speed ($10.40 to win), a three-year-old filly by Artspeak, to the track in Race 4 – a $4,600 conditioned pacing event. Driver-owner David Ahern worked out a pocket trip for the filly and pounced up the backside to seize the lead and slide home a 1-3/4-length winner in 1:56.2.
The win came in Ahern’s 16th start as a trainer. Ahern made his career debut last December with a horse named DG Rainrunner, who finished eighth in an $18,000 pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The resident of Peterborough, Ont. has 16 starts to his card and has accumulated $13,222 in purses.
Sam Fillion shot fire all night long at Kawartha. He began with a sweep of the first three races by Mossies Art (1:56.2 winning mile; $3.80), Buck N Bettor (1:57.4; $2.70) and One Last Bet (1:57.4; $4.40). Fillion later sealed the five-bagger with back-to-back wins by Rye N Clyne (1:56.2; $2.30) and Chesapeake Sunrise (1:57.2; $2.20).
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Kawartha Downs.