The week away from the track wasn't an issue for Warrawee Xalt, posting his second consecutive win in the top trotting class at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday, Aug. 29.
A field of seven was scratched down to a sextet in the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Trot, with Warrawee Xalt — the most recent winner in this class on Aug. 15 — saddled with the outermost starting spot. That post seven assignment moved in one with the scratch of post four starter Rose Run Why Not.
As the wings of the gate folded, three horses left assertively seeking a forward position. Meadowbranch Noble (Guy Gagnon) was outstepped by co-favourite Emma Town Bud (Pierre Bovay) with Warrawee Xalt and Ryan Guy driving on from the outside. Emma Town Bud landed on the lead, but yielded to Warrawee Xalt for the pocket ride.
Warrawee Xalt managed the fraction-setting duties from there, confidently striding through panels of :28.1, :58.4 and 1:26.4. The lead stretched to four lengths at the head of the stretch, but started to diminish approaching the wire. With the backfield encroaching, Warrawee Xalt found the wire with more than a length to spare in a time of 1:56.1. Three horses were right there for second, with 8-5 co-fave Black Tie Bash (Robert Shepherd) nosing out Emma Town Bud, with Meadowbrach Noble just off the top trio.
Warrawee Xalt is trained by Patrick Dillon, and he co-owns the son of five-year-old son of Royalty For Life-Noble Peace Prize with Patti Hoskin of Port Hope, Ont. Now a seven-time winner this year and 20-time winner in his career, Warrawee Xalt now boasts more than $260,000 in earnings. Despite winning this class two weeks ago, he was sent off as the 5-2 third choice this week and returned $7.30 to win.
For the results from Thursday's card of harness racing outside the nation's capital, click the following link: Thursday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)