Louis-Philippe Roy is days away from concluding his best season as a driver, and now Canada's top dash and money-winning reinsman of 2018 will have the opportunity to drive harness racing's all-time richest horse for his final start on Canadian soil.
Foiled Again, the 14-year-old iron horse that has won more purse money than any other Standardbred in the sport's history, will be making his penultimate start this Saturday (December 22) at Woodbine Mohawk Park before facing a mandatory retirement at the start of the new year. Trained and co-owned by Ron Burke along with co-owners Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables LLC, Foiled Again has drawn post four in Saturday's sixth race, the $16,000 Foiled Again Farewell Pace with Louis-Philippe Roy listed to drive. Roy is both thrilled and honoured to have the chance to drive one of harness racing's all-time greats.
"It’s just hard to realize that I’m going to have that chance," Roy told Trot Insider. "When Foiled Again started racing I wasn’t even driving. I remember following him a lot more when he became the richest pacer ever in 2012. At that time, I was competing in around 30 races a year on the fair circuit. Having the chance to drive one of the most iconic racehorses ever wasn’t in my mind at that time."
On Tuesday, Roy was named as an O'Brien Award finalist as Canada's Driver of the Year for the second straight season. His nomination is a result of a career year that includes a total of 408 wins with purse earnings in excess of $7.3 million while topping the Canadian driver charts for both wins and earnings.
Roy quickly admitted he considers himself one of the many admirers Foiled Again has garnered over his decade of excellence as an older competitor.
"I’m among his huge group of fans. I like to compare him to Chris Chelios, who I was a fan of as well," Roy continued, "they both had that warrior style, and both kept competing day in and day out at an elite level longer than most of their competitors."
Foiled Again has been visiting racetracks and fairs throughout North America on his farewell tour, ending on December 31 at trainer Ron Burke's home track of The Meadows. The tour stops in London at The Raceway at the Western Fair District one day before his start at Mohawk, the track that was the backdrop for the gelding's richest career victory when he captured the $787,000 Canadian Pacing Derby in 2012.
Racing fans will have an opportunity to say farewell to Foiled Again during a special meet and greet in the Mohawk winner’s circle that will start at 6:30 p.m.
Fans can take a photo with Foiled Again during the meet and greet. There will be a Guest Experience Representative available to take the photos on fans’ mobile devices and cameras.
Fans can also fill out a ballot at the meet and greet for the chance to sit behind Foiled Again on Saturday evening. A name will be drawn from the ballot box at 7:00 p.m. and the winner will receive the opportunity to visit Foiled Again in the paddock and sit behind the richest Standardbred in a double-seated jog cart.
After Foiled Again's race, there will be a special post-race presentation for the 14-year-old and his connections. The track will also air a special tribute video during Saturday's races.
Fans can stay warm Saturday by purchasing a hot beverage served in a special commemorative Foiled Again mug. The mugs feature an image of the legendary pacer with the date of his final Canadian start. Mugs can also be purchased without a beverage in the track’s gift shop.
Foiled Again will be making his 330th career start on Saturday. His career numbers currently sit at 108 wins, 70 runner-up finishes, 46 third-place efforts, $7,667,397 earned and a mark of 1:48.
The approximate post time for Foiled Again's final Canadian start is 8:50 p.m. To view the entries for Saturday's card, which also features a mandatory Jackpot Hi-5 payout in the 10th and final race, click one of the following links:
► Saturday Entries - Woodbine Mohawk Park
► Saturday Program Pages - Woodbine Mohawk Park (courtesy TrackIT)
(with files from Woodbine)