Defying his double-digit odds, Shouldaknownbetter looked more like a 6-5 favourite with a dominant winning effort for the Hamlins in the $5,000 Preferred 3 Handicap Trot on Sunday afternoon, June 23 at Dresden Raceway.
Driven by Anthony Hamlin, the Michael Hamlin trainee Shouldaknownbetter and Heavy Dude E (Nick Steward) emerged from the middle of a quartet of trotters leaving for early position into the first turn. Shouldaknownbetter persisted with the inner advantage and pocketed Heavy Dude E through a :28 opening quarter duel. Once in control, Shouldaknownbetter remained large and in charge as he posted a half in :57.4 and three-quarters in 1:27.4 with no less than three lengths on his foes. No one could get near the leading 12-1 longshot through the stretch as he scored in 1:59 flat by 2-3/4-lengths.
A Dresden winner three starts back on June 2, Shouldaknownbetter returned to the half-mile oval with a third-place effort in last week's Preferred and was let go at odds of 12-1, paying $27.50 for a $2 win ticket. Heavy Dude E, at odds of 3-1, held on for second over 6-5 favourites Hot Fudge Sundae (Alfie Carroll) and Petro Angel (Scott Wray). Zack To The Max (Andy Moore) completed the field of five.
The six-year-old Deep Chip-Lexis Electra gelding, a former Ohio Sire Stakes winner who boasts a six-figure career bankroll, earned his fourth win from 20 seasonal starts and picked up his 14th victory lifetime.
Fresh off a sweep of Dresden's Mark Austin Memorial Series, trainer Bill Hamm's homebred three-year-old pacer Write About Now extended his current win streak to five in a row with a 1:58.4 career-best performance during Sunday's card. Don Rankin Jr. continued his winning partnership with the developing Sportswriter-Cant Stop gelding in a $4,600 conditioned pace.
Leaving from the pylon post, Write About Now conceded the lead to a persistent Money On The Beach (Anthony Hamlin) after the opening quarter but the 1-9 favourite blew by in the stretch, defeating that foe by 1-1/2 lengths and paying $2.20 as he delivered on his pari-mutuel promise. Lilly Clare (Greg Drew) rounded out the top three.
Write About Now has now earned $19,486 through eight career starts for co-owners Bill and Thomas Hamm.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Dresden Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)