Hally Road paved the way to the winner's circle as the seven-year-old mare took the $5,000 Preferred 4 Trot, which highlighted the 10-race Sunday, Sept. 1 card at Leamington Raceway.
Leaving from the rail, driver Lorne House protected the inside position off the gate, getting Hally Road to the quarter first in :28.1. Shouldaknownbetter (Anthony Hamlin) was parked on the first turn and pressed to challenge the leader, but was forced to ride the rim the remainder of the way as Hally Road was intent on the lead through the half in :57.3. Shouldaknownbetter took it to the leader one final time on the backstretch to move within a half-length of Hally Road at three-quarters in 1:29 while Wrap And A Hooey (Nick Steward) tipped three-wide to engage the leaders.
Hally Road responded entering the final turn, opening up by two lengths at the top of the stretch. The lead would only grow from there, with the even-money favourite trotting away by three lengths on the line to stop the clock in 2:00.1. Zack To The Max (Andy Moore) finished second and Jooner (Robert Doyle) rallied for third.
Cassidy Schneider trains Hally Road, who has won five of 32 starts this season. The daughter of Holiday Road-Thousand Miles is a seven-time winner for her career, having banked $55,336 for owner and breeder Fred Freer.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)