Junior K turned a pocket trip into a $9,200 payday on Monday at Western Fair Raceway thanks to his 1:56.1 victory in the $18,400 Preferred Pace.
Trained by Hall of Famer Keith Waples and driven by Ross Battin, Junior K stalked pacesetter Bobnoxious through panels of :27.4 :57.4 and 1:26.1 before gunning that one down in the closing strides.
The four-year-old son of Astreos used a :29.4 final frame to seal the deal by three-quarters of a length over Bobnoxious, who held on for the runner-up award. XLB Patrick rounded out the top three in the eight-horse tilt.
Shady Hill Racing Stable of Guelph, ON holds the papers on the ridgling, who won for the 14th time in his $199,351 career.
Tymal Vector pulled off an 8-1 upset in the $15,200 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace for the duo of trainer Dan Creighton and driver Trevor Henry.
The four-year-old Mach Three miss, who worked out a second-over trip in the back half of the mile, vaulted off cover and powered away to win by a length in a time of 1:57.4. Goldies Cam, who did the first-over work, was second best and Trace Of Luck was third.
It was the sixth win of the campaign for the 14-time winner, who is owned by Brian Ostrom of London, ON. The mare has banked $119,142.
Secret Weapon also exploded off second-over cover to take home top prize in his assignment – the $12,800 Preferred 2 Pace.
The six-year-old Western Hanover gelding got up in the final strides for driver Brad Forward, who wound up with four wins on the card. The margin of victory for the Wayne Preszcator pupil was a half length. Button Up was second and Front Nine was third.
James & Barbara Lehman and Robert Patterson share ownership on the 20-time winner, who upped his lifetime earnings to $253,168 with the victory.
To view Monday's results, click here.