Matt Kakaley became the youngest driver in the history of harness racing to clinch his 1,000th career
driving victory on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs.
It was the first drive of the day for Kakaley, who had won six races at Northfield Park on Friday night and three on Saturday night including the $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie with favourite Foiled Again.
He went gate-to-wire with the Jim Perry-trained Westedge Matt, who staved off pressure and helped Kakaley become the youngest to reach 1,000 wins at the young age of 21. Matt was joined by family and friends in the winner’s circle who made the trip from Ohio to congratulate Matt on his record breaking accomplishment.
In other Sunday afternoon action, Barry Segal guided Strong Hall to a track record clocking of 1:55.3 in the $42,200 Belltone Hearing Center Trot. It was a new standard for four-year-old geldings
Race favourite Fort Benning and Tropicana Ron battled through quick early fractions of :28.1, :56.2 and 1:25.2 before being joined and eventually overtaken by Strong Hall. The son of Angus Hall - Casa Marina drew off to win by more than a length for trainer Cynthia Milano, who also co-owns with Dennis Harvey of Cooperstown, NY.
In the $39,400 M&J Oil and Lube Pace Jimmy Marohn, Jr. and P H Tornado equaled the track record for four-year-old gelding pacers when he stepped to a 1:51.3 decision. Marohn sat a pocket trip through fractions of :26.4, :55.2, and 1:22.3 before edging out of the pocket and using a :28.3 to seal the deal.
The mile of 1:51.3 took more than four seconds off P H Tornado’s lifetime record. He is trained by Arthur Green for Dr. R James Shive of Shubenacadie, NS. The son of Grinfromeartoear - Ocean Splash increased his seasonal earnings to more than $51,000 with the victory.
(Tioga Downs)