Lexus Kody returned to Woodbine Mohawk Park where he set a Canadian record in last summer's Maple Leaf Trot and topped some of the same rivals in winning a $64,000 Free For All on the North America Cup undercard on Saturday, June 13.
Lexus Kody didn't have to trot in 1:49.1 this time, but the double millionaire was no less impressive in defeating a field of heavyweights by open lengths. Driver Yannick Gingras sent the 2025 U.S. Trotter of the Year three-wide off cover turning for home and drew off to score his first win of the season in 1:50.4 for trainer Ron Burke.
Three-time reigning O'Brien Award divisional champion Logan Park, the 2-1 favourite in rein to Doug McNair, fired off the gate from the outer wing in post eight and crossed to command into a sizzling :26.4 quarter ahead of Gaines Hanover, who had left just to his inside for Jody Jamieson, with Aetos Kronos S securing a top three spot.
Dexter Dunn gave Aetos Kronos S his cue just past the first pole and the veteran trotter swept to command down the backstretch on the way to the half in :55.1 while Lexus Kody flushed out cover from last year's Breeders Crown champion French Wine (Jason Bartlett) behind the top trio.
As Aetos Kronos S raced on to three-quarters in 1:22.2, Logan Park broke stride and was taken inside the safety lane on the final turn, while Lexus Kody went wide for the stretch drive. Lexus Kody took aim at Aetos Kronos S in the straightaway and blew by that rival in a :27.4 finish for the 3-3/4-length triumph. Aetos Kronos S held on for second as Gaines Hanover came through between horses and settled for third.
One of three trotters in the nine-horse field going off at 5-2 odds, Lexus Kody paid $7.80 to win.
The eight-year-old Archangel-Lexus Helios, owned by the Pennsylvania partnership of Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Phil Collura, went over $2.6 million in lifetime earnings with his 38th victory.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)