After settling for small cheques in each of his last two starts at the Preferred level, Pacific Oak stepped up his game took home all the marbles in today’s $18,400 Preferred assignment at Western Fair Raceway.
Pacific Oak used an eye-catching kick in the late stages of the mile to propel himself to the wire in a time of 1:57.3. He drew off to win by more than six lengths for trainer/driver Ken Oliver. XLB Patrick was second best and Shadywood Baron rounded out the top three.
Shirley & Kerry House of St. Jacobs, ON hold the papers on the five-year-old son of Pacific Rocket, who has put together a 6-5-3 record in 29 starts this season. The $9,200 paycheque pushed his lifetime earnings to $149,481.
Lulas Filly took full advantage of a pocket trip to take home top prize in today’s edition of the $15,200 Fillies & Mares Preferred. Brad Forward engineered the winning trip for the Kelly Goodwin trainee who stopped the clock in 1:58.4.
Even-money favourite Trace Of Luck, who served up panels of :28.4, :59.1 and 1:28.1, let a three-length lead at the top of the stretch. She finished a half-length back in second. Goldies Fame followed cover and finished third.
The five-year-old daughter of Keystone Raider, who is owned by the Michigan partnership of Darwin & Ann Shaver and Laura Perniciaro, won for the fifth time this season in 16 starts.
Oakley Seelster made a successful jump to the $12,800 Preferred 2 class for pacers for the duo of trainer John Kennedy and driver Bruce Richardson. The gelding led at every call en route to a 1:58.4 triumph.
The four-year-old son of Western Maverick sliced out splits of :28, :59.1 and 1:29.1 before scooting home in :29.3 to seal the deal. It was more than three lengths back to the runner-up D K Thunder. Astrolife completed the top three.
Kennedy and partner Clayton Walmsely of Walkerton, ON have watched the gelding rack up eight wins this season while banking in excess of $57,000. The pacer’s lifetime earnings are closing in on $120,000.
To view Monday’s results, click here.