Patrons attending Harrington Raceway on Wednesday evening witnessed a multitude of significant happenings on the racetrack. They witnessed an undefeated horse, the fastest trotting mile in the track's 68-year history, and three Harness Horse Youth Foundation pony races.
Undefeated trotter I Like My Boss ($2.10, Jon Roberts) registered his 11th straight win in as many lifetime starts in the second $20,000 leg of the DSBF stakes Wednesday at Harrington. The Don Boss Vita gelding charged by Call Me Hal, reminiscent of his win on June 10, to keep his unblemished record intact. Trained by co-owner Bob Shahan, he is co-owned by Jimmy and Ashley Parsons. I Like My Boss will await his berth in the $100,000 final on July 24. Call Me Hal was second while My Boy Charlie was placed third.
In the remaining DSBF division, Syl King Jr.’s Whichwayrightrleft ($2.60, Ross Wolfenden) notched a 1:58.3 triumph over Toolbox and LGs Pride. Trained by his owner, the Crown Prince Gar gelding recorded his seventh lifetime win.
In the $17,000 Open Trot, Keith Pippi’s Traverse Seelster ($2.80, Wolfenden) trotted the fastest mile in track history with a 1:53.3 victory from post eight. The Josh Green trainee went to the lead shortly after the start and never relented over Spunky Jack and Cash On Delivery. The six-year-old Ontario-bred Angus Hall gelding has now banked more than $90,000 in 2014.
Three half-mile dashes were held over the course of the program for this year’s 2014 Harrington Raceway Class of 2014 from the Harness Horse Youth Foundation’s camp. Ten campers were given the opportunity to compete in one-lap dashes with the assistance of licensed drivers in double-seated jog carts.
HHYF executive director Ellen Taylor and her team of volunteers, as well as Harrington Raceway Director of Facilities Karen Craft, played an integral part of coordinating what was a memorable week for the participants that taught the kids about the world of harness racing from mucking stalls, to learning about racing equipment, to competing in a live race and much more.
Danielle Urian, Austin Stafford and Jeff Kidner each won their respective heats and joined their jubilant fellow campers for a trackside medal ceremony, presented by Delaware Harness Racing Commission Administrator Mark Davis.
(With files from Harrington Raceway)