Classy veteran Secret Weapon secured his 44th career win in Monday night’s feature race at Grand River Raceway. The victory was bittersweet for the Secret Weapon Stables with the absence of owner Jim Lehman in the winner’s circle
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Lehman passed away the previous evening at St. May’s Hospital in Kitchener following a long illness. He was 64.
A Standardbred owner since 2005, Lehman served on the Board of Directors for the Grand River Agricultural Society (owner/operator of Grand River Raceway). He was also a former director of Standardbred Canada, served on the Executive Committee, was the Chair of the By-Laws and Licensing Committee, a member of the Taxation and Audit Committees, and represented Standardbred Canada on a number of ORC Committees.
He was an owner and President of Reitzel Rentals Ltd. and was also very active with service groups and charitable organizations in his local community of Kitchener-Waterloo.
Secret Weapon Stables includes Lehman’s wife Barb, and Lorna and Robert Patterson. The group’s ownership highlight was a track-record win with Part Shark in the 2010 Gold Cup & Saucer at Red Shores Charlottetown in PEI. Lehman was so enthralled with the experience that he took out an ad in the local newspaper the following week to thank the track and the community for its outstanding hospitality.
Part Shark was third in this year’s edition of the race, and recently surpassed $300,000 in earnings. He secured his 20th career win on August 29 at Grand River Raceway.
Secret Weapon has won 8 of 19 this season, including the Gold Cup & Saucer Consolation, and has banked nearly $520,000 in lifetime earnings. Both pacers are trained by Wayne Preszcator.
Grand River Raceway and the Grand River Agricultural Society extends its condolences to Barb and the rest of the Lehman family. For Jim's obituary and to leave condolences, please click here.