Handsome Sebastian matched the all-time trotting track record at Kawartha Downs in a qualifying mile on Friday, June 28.
With Doug Hie driving for trainer/owner Cindy Horner, Handsome Sebastian equalled Kawartha's 1:54 trot record that was originally set by Mr Tasty in July 2007. The six-year-old Sebastian K S-Pacific Edge gelding led a mixed-gaited group of maidens in the second qualifier through fractions of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:25.1 then came home in :28.4 to close out the 7-3/4-length winning mile.
A career winner of nine races and $182,630 from 62 starts, Handsome Sebastian sports a lifetime mark of 1:53.2 taken in early January at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Kawartha's top trainer Tommy Riley picked up three more wins at the meet during Friday's eight-race wagering card, bringing his season total to 16 and pushing his leading margin into double-digits.
Three-year-old trotting gelding Blue Kantana ($2.10) won the fifth race in 2:00.3 by more than three lengths for the Roseneath, Ont. horseman and then the speedy seven-year-old trotter Shadrack Hanover ($2.10) and eight-year-old pacing mare Majestic Virgin ($5) swept the late Daily Double with dominant four-length victories in 1:55.4 and 1:55.3, respectively. Samuel Fillion drove the trio of Riley trainees, the latter now at four wins in a row.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Kawartha Downs.
(Standardbred Canada; Photo of Handsome Sebastian from a previous win at Woodbine Mohawk Park)