Dismissed at 7-1, Judge Bob held steadfast under two separate challenges to his lead and narrowly prevailed in the featured $13,514 Preferred Handicap Trot during the Ocean Downs' final card of 2024 on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Jonathan Roberts controlled the terms early with the nine-year-old Great George Two gelding, seating 2-5 favourite Coventry Hall in the pocket and setting splits of :28.3 and :58 through the first lap. On the backstretch, Judge Bob faced a stern first-over threat from K J Todd, and, after repelling him on the final turn, staved off a second challenger in Miracle De Vie, who emerged from midfield and came up a half length short of Judge Bob's 1:56.4 winning mile. Coventry Hall finished a one-paced third from the pocket.
Trainer Megan Roberts shares ownership of Judge Bob, who paid $17.80 to win, with Graham Grace Stables.
Jonathan Roberts led all drivers on the closing-night card with three wins; Corey Braden and Jason Thompson scored doubles. Trainers Michael Hall and Stacey McLenaghan accounted for two winners apiece.
Johnathan Ahle captured the 2024 Ocean Downs driving title on the power of 94 wins from 319 starts, good for a sparkling 29.5 per cent win rate. He drove the winners of $655,008 USD in purses. Trae Porter, who edged Ahle in the earnings category with $670,539 USD, finished second with 82 wins, while William Carter (54), Russell Foster (50) and Jonathan Roberts (49) rounded out the top five.
On the training side of the ledger, Michael Hall took top honours with 50 wins and $361,185 USD in purses earned from 139 starts, good for a strike rate of 36 per cent. John Wagner, who was the highest-earning trainer at the meet with $592,073 USD, finished second in the win column with 38, followed by Darren Ferrell in third, with 19. Kevin Lare, Stacey McLenaghan and Rick Still tied for fourth, with 13 wins apiece.
(Ocean Downs)