Lexis D J did more than earn himself spot in the Champions Trot Final in Wednesday evening's elimination round at Sudbury Downs. He also etched his name in the record books clocking the track's fastest trotting mile ever.
With Dave Boughton in the sulky, Lexis D J followed tempo-setter Sack Full Of Gold and driver David Dowling through fractions of :29 and :58.2 before pulling the pocket near the 1:28 third quarter station and sprinting home to a five length victory in 1:57.1.
Lexis D J lowered the all-age trotting track record by one-fifth of a second. The former mark was held by fellow gelding Victors Valiant and mare Flora Dream, who maintains the female trotting record.
Amigo Ranger, with Wayne MacLean aboard, and the Pat Rouleau-driven Ill Tell You What came on for second and third, respectively.
Lexis D J paid $4.60 to win as the bettors' choice.
Shane Arsenault trains the son of Amigo Hall, who has won nine of his 24 starts this year while earning over $86,000, for owners Louis Arsenault of Freelton, Ont. and Brandon Arsenault of Waterdown, Ont. The win was Lexus D J's 24th lifetime and the lion's share of the $15,000 elimination purse pushed his bankroll to $281,150.
The other Champions Trot elimination was won by the front-striding Long Ago in 1:58. Bruce Richardson drove the seven-year-old Duke Of York gelding for trainer John Holding, who also co-owns with Bryan Montgomery of Fergus, Ont. The 30-time career winner defeated Northern Inferno and Paul MacLean by two and a half lengths while Mr Joe Sixpack, driven by Boughton, rounded out the top three finishers. The winner paid $7 as the favourite.
The Champions series is for trotters that are non-winners of $75,000 this year as of Wednesday, August 29.
The top performers will return to the Chelmsford, Ont. half-mile oval next Wednesday, September 26 for the $35,400 (estimated) final and $15,000 consolation.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Sudbury Downs.