Im King Conn ($2.10) looked every bit the part of a twenties-on favourite in his $7,000 division of the Ontario Prospect Series on Saturday (Sept. 4) at Kawartha Downs, drilling a 1:53.4 mile to take top honours.
Dale Spence drove the Dr. Ian Moore trainee to his maiden-breaking score, outpacing pocket rival Rivercruise (Nick Boyd) through a :56.3 first half before steadily widening his margin of clearance up the backstretch and running up the score to an 18-1/2-length win. La Playa Deo (Tyler Jones) recovered from an early break to just edge Rivercruise for second.
Breeder Princeton Farms co-owns the Hes Watching-Sweet Brown colt Im King Conn with Joanne McComb, along with Moore and Spence.
Kim and Dan Sergeant's Final Cheeserecipe ($6.90) withstood a first-over grind to power past a Moore-trained favourite, Shadowmoon Rising, en route to a 1:54.1 win in the $7,100 first division.
Tyler Jones set the Betterthancheddar-Ingrid Hanover gelding into motion from fourth up the backstretch, working alongside Shadowmoon Rising (Spence) past three-quarters in 1:23.2 before duelling him down off the corner for home. After putting the favourite away, Final Cheeserecipe sprinted away to evade E L Gladiator (Aaron Byron) by three lengths. Shadowmoon Rising held third.
Blake MacIntosh trains Final Cheeserecipe, who also broke maiden.
Thomas Riley recorded a training hat trick on the 11-race card, harnessing Anchor So Reel ($6.00, Murray Brethour, 1:56.3), YS Lotus ($2.20, Jones, 1:53.1) and Wags ($3.00, Brethour, 1:55.2) before their respective victories.
Kawartha Downs hosted a memorable occasion for Russell and Mary Bax, who celebrated their 50th anniversary in style on Saturday night. It all started for the couple at Morrow Park in Peterborough, Ont. 50 years ago. The anniversary celebration was a complete surprise to Mary as family and friends joined the couple in the winner's circle on this very special day.
To view Saturday's complete results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Kawartha Downs.