The five-year-old mare Somebody Special defeated seven male rivals off a pocket trip to capture the $31,250 Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Harrington Raceway.
R No Mercy (Mike Cole), who was a 1:56.3 winner the week prior one class level down, set fractions of :27.3, :57.2 and 1:26.4, while favourite Arrowhead Hanover (Troy Beyer) mounted a first-over attack and Somebody Special, driven by Art Stafford Jr., awaited room from the pocket. The three horses fought hard to the wire, with Somebody Special hitting the line first by a neck in 1:55.4 over R No Mercy and Arrowhead Hanover, who were second and third, respectively.
Somebody Special notched her fourth win of the year in 21 outings for trainer Chuck Crissman Jr. and owner Jaypaul Hoover. The Swan For All-Lima Simplicity mare recorded her 26th lifetime win from 87 outings. She paid $8.80 to win.
Driver Corey Callahan had five wins on the 14-race card, including a trio for his father, trainer Nick Callahan. The duo won with Richter ($7.60), Big Truss ($6.20) and Uncle Douglas ($4). Callahan also steered Sevecheetah ($15.40) and Sweepea ($4.40) to victories. The junior Callahan has amassed 179 driving wins this year from 1,233 starts. Nick Callahan's trainees are 42-for-375.
Art Stafford Jr. and Mike Cole each had a pair of driving wins.
(With files from Harrington Raceway)