The older trotting ranks are about to add some more stakes-winning depth with what would appear to be the imminent return of O'Brien Award winner Run Director.
Making the first appearance of his six-year-old season during the Tuesday morning qualifiers at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Run Director was positioned early for command by driver Sylvain Filion but first allowed Hldontghttoyurdrms (James MacDonald) to clear to the top over Cheeses Murphy with the opening station reached in :29.2. Filion then hit the gas pedal on Run Director, who sprinted down the backside and cleared before the :59.2 half.
Run Director then ramped up the tempo and started to edge away from his rivals, hitting the third quarter marker in 1:29.1. Widening that gap with every stride, Run Director comfortably trotted home in :28.3 to trip the timer 15 lengths the best in a time of 1:57.4.
Taking his lifetime mark of 1:51.4 last year at The Meadowlands in an Open trotting event, Run Director (Kadabra - Keep The Spirit) sports a summary of 14-5-5 from 44 lifetime appearances with more than $630,000 in earnings. Shane Weber is currently handling the conditioning on Run Director for owners Tom & Elizabeth Rankin of St. Catharines, Ont.
To view the charts from the Tuesday morning qualifiers, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park (qualifiers).