Jackies Boy put an end to Tobins Chester's win streak but it took a track record performance to get the job done in the $20,000 elimination for the Barrieau-McIsaac Memorial sophomore stakes on Friday, Aug. 23 at New Brunswick's Woodstock Raceway.
Driven by Myles Heffernan Sr., Jackies Boy fired off the gate from post four to establish the lead as he raced into the first turn ahead of the quick-leaving Allaboutcash, driven by Brady Sweet. Jackies Boy cleared to command and cut the quarter in :28.2 with even-money favourite Tobins Chester muscling his way into the pocket spot for Jason Hughes.
Jackies Boy stole a second quarter breather to the half in :58.2 and led the field of seven sophomore colts and fillies into the backstretch the final time while Tobins Chester started to edge out of the pocket to maintain a clear shot at the leader.
Looking for his eighth straight win, Tobins Chester took aim and went head-to-head with Jackies Boy as they raced by three-quarters in 1:27.2. However, Jackies Boy dug in gamely through the stretch and held off one last surge from Tobins Chester at the wire to win by a neck in a career-best 1:56 flat. Allaboutcash rallied three-wide off the turn to show, finishing 1-3/4 lengths behind.
Jackies Boy bested Speed Snip's track record for three-year-olds by one full second. The Tobago Cays-Dusty Lane Bria gelding is now a dual track record holder as he also set the mark for two-year-olds courtesy of his 1:57.4 score in last year's Milton Downey Memorial Stakes.
Trained, owned and bred by Myles Heffernan Jr., Jackies Boy has won three of his nine races this season and now sports a career record reading 10-4-2 from 19 starts, with earnings surpassing the $100,000 mark.
Sent postward at odds of 4-1, Jackies Boy returned $10.60 to win.
All seven starters in the elimination will return for next week's $50,000 final, which will be the richest race in Connell Park history, with the winning connections earning the chance to pick their post position.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodstock Raceway NB.
(Standardbred Canada)