The Saturday (July 24) card at Hiawatha Horse Park proved eventful in a couple ways. For one, driver Marc St. Louis, Jr. visited the winner's circle five times on the 12-race card — thrice for trainer Tyler Nostadt. And for two, the trotting mare Lefkada broke a near-decade-long track record.
St. Louis' "five bagger" started with a pair of back-to-back wins, the first with Liminary Hanover ($5.30) and the second with Nostadt trainee Bettors Hope ($5.30). He then scored another batch of consecutive wins with Zarconia Seelster ($4.30) and another Nostadt trainee, Rye N Clyne ($4.30). Nostadt and St. Louis teamed for their final wins on the afternoon when Dinner At The Met ($5.70) launched off cover to a victory in the 10th race.
Right before St. Louis completed his five bagger, and Nostadt finished his hat trick, team Wray went down the road the odds-on choice Lefkada ($3.30) to break the Sarnia track record for aged trotting mares.
Driver Scott Wray settled the Jack Wray trainee into third from the pylon post to a :27.3 opening quarter before moving to seize the lead past a :57.2 half. She drew separation up the backstretch to three-quarters in 1:25.1 and coasted to the finish 4-1/4 lengths in front and stop the clock in 1:56. That time lowers the previous record of 1:56.2 set by Wynter in June of 2012. Jack Wray co-owns the five-year-old E L Titan mare with Thomas Wray and Peter Charlton.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hiawatha Horse Park.