Sent the 5-2 favourite, Oldfriendskentucky parked his competition early to defend the front and widened his lead through the mile to take the $5,500 Preferred 4 Pace at Leamington Raceway on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Oldfriendskentucky protected pylon position circling the first turn to keep Cullen Keefe N and Brother Aidan off the pegs through a :28.4 first quarter. Then stacked three wide, Oldfriendskentucky faced only first-over pressure from Brother Aidan through a :58.4 half before that challenger retreated to three-quarters. In The Wheelhouse tipped off the pylons heading to three-quarters in 1:29.1 and passed tiring horses through the lane while Oldfriendskentucky hit the finish two-and-a-quarter lengths in front in 2:00.3. Cullen Keefe N took third.
A 10-year-old gelding by Whosurboy, Oldfriendskentucky won his third race from 43 starts this season and his 33rd from 308 overall, earning $177,000. Trainer Stephen Roberts co-owns the $7.40 winner with Laura Roberts.
Driver Marc St Louis piloted five winners on the 10-race card. He visited the winner’s circle first after romping by eight-and-three-quarter lengths with Ideal Space ($4.80). He revisited the winner’s circle a race later with 6-5 favourite Insincerity ($4.40). He then scored by five-and-a-quarter lengths a few races later with Big Is Better ($4.20) and won going wire to wire with Mystical Beach ($18.10) and in the nightcaps with Watt Machs Me Win ($3.80).
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results – Leamington Raceway.