Braxtons Boy and Irish Luke captured their respective $9,830 divisions of the MSSBA Futurity for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers at The Loop on Saturday (Aug. 26).
Leaving from post one, Braxtons Boy and driver Michel Rey settled in the pocket spot right from the beginning of the mile as AK Nite Lady (Kevin Hildebrant) led the field of seven through fractions of :30.3, 1:02.3 and 1:34.1. Rey gave the three-year-old son of Whosurboy-Nitrous Force his cue and Braxtons Boy simply cruised by the leader to win by a length in a new lifetime best of 2:03.4. AK Nite Lady held second with Pixie Chick (Paula Mason) in third.
Trained by Richard Rey, Braxtons Boy sports a record of 3-2-0 from five starts and has earned $10,115 in purse money. The colt was bred and is co-owned by his conditioner and Janet Rey of St Claude, Man.
Braxtons Boy paid $3.90 to win as the favourite.
In the second division, Irish Luke and Blake Piwniuk left from the rail in the seven-horse field. The duo settled in third shortly after the start, with Looeymagooey (Michel Rey) setting the first fraction of :29.1 prior to My Little Chloe (Corey Manning) setting up shop on the front end through a half-mile in :59.4. Irish Luke was in fourth at this juncture. Looeymagooey resumed his position on top with three-quarters in 1:30.3.
Irish Luke was shuffled to fourth at the half, moved into third at the three-quarter pole and soared past his rivals in the lane to win by a quarter of a length in a new lifetime best of 2:02.4. Baylor Bobby (Clayton Braybrook) closed for second and My Little Chloe was third.
Irish Luke now possesses a resume of 3-0-2 from eight starts and boosted his bankroll to $11,663. Trained by Trevor Williams, Irish Luke is a son of Youshouldseemenow-Deziree Bell. The colt is co-owned by his conditioner, Adam Mace and Michael Williams of Manitoba.
Irish Luke paid $6.50 to win as the public’s second choice.
The win was one of four on the card for Williams, who also connected in the first race with Sporty Jewels (2:03; $5.20), the fourth with Oriental Express (2:01.2, $2.10) and the seventh with Maching Millions (2:01.4; $4.20).
Litizor ($4.40) and Marc Fillion won the $5,000 Open Pace in 1:59.2.
Leaving from post one, Litizor led the field of six through the first half-mile with fractions of :28.3 and 1:00 until Pure Addition (Richard Remillard) challenged and poked a nose in front after three-quarters in 1:29.3. Litizor, however, would not be denied and defeated the closing Gimme A Corona (Michel Rey) by three-quarters of a length. Pure Addition was third.
Litizor is trained by Mathew Howlett for owners Don Howlett of Winnipeg and Dwayne Taylor of Minto, Man. The five-year-old’s record now stands at 12-12-12 from 69 lifetime starts and he has banked $61,931.
To view the results from Saturday’s card of harness racing at The Loop, click the following link: Saturday Results - The Loop