To say Glenn LeDrew had a big night in the sulky at Cornestone Raceway in Yorkton Friday evening would be a huge understatement as he drove five winners on the nine-race card, all for trainer Shawn Worthen
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LeDrew said such nights are unusual. “They are very few and far between,” he said, adding “two years ago I had one.”
To win five on any track takes more than good horses, although that helps. “You need to draw some poles and you need some racing luck,” said LeDrew.
LeDrew added sometimes things fall into place, when on other nights they don’t. “The last few race nights we’ve had some rough trips, some tough luck,” he said, noting that all turned around Friday. “The horses all raced great.”
The good drives came on a heavy track after a heavy rain at post time threatened to wash out the night, but the sun came out to save the night. LeDrew said he didn’t do anything different in preparing for the wet track. “I prepare the same every night,” he said, adding that means studying the program. “I try to figure out how to drive each race.”
However, LeDrew said races rarely go exactly as planned. “One of the greatest challenges is to adjust in each race,” he said.
Asked which wins stood out on the night, LeDrew grinned. “I like winning them all. There’s something special about each race.”
LeDrew hit the winner’s circle early taking Just Smitten to victory in the opening race for maidens, edging out Meadowlark Apache, driven by Terry Kaufman, and Rewind Realslow, with Philip Giesbrecht in the seat.
Just Smitten is owned by the Twisted Sisters Stable in Regina, which includes LeDrew’s wife Lori and her sisters.
LeDrew noted on the backstretch they were three abreast, before Just Smitten emerged down the stretch. “She really put in a big effort,” he said.
Dal Reo Indy, also owned by the Twisted Sisters Stable also won for LeDrew.
“When I did get her [Dal Reo Indy] to the front she was real handy,” he said.
Winning with the two horses owned by his wife and her sisters was great, joking it would be an easier trip back to Regina. He added wins are special for owners. “All owners put so much into this industry,” he said.
LeDrew was back in race two winning with the four-year-old mare Marlowe.
Invincible Yankee and Barona Fivehundred, both belonged to Bill Welcher of Roblin, MB, were also winners for LeDrew.
Friday's $1,300 Open Pace went to Kevin Siever's Kalahari Riff, a 4-3/4 length winner in 2:11.3.
In other action, Race 3 on the card was declared a "No Contest" when a starting gate malfunction occurred causing confusion after a restart was called.
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Calvin Daniels)