Connell Park Raceway in Woodstock kicks off Canada Day with harness racing action
Confident in his horse All Bets On Tex, Jeffrey Lilley quickly accepted an invitation to the prestigious Walter Dale Memorial at the Connell Park Raceway in Woodstock on July 1.
His “bet” paid off as the pacer captured the Walter Dale Memorial as Horse Racing New Brunswick’s celebration of Canada Day delivered the first card of racing in the province this season.
Leaving from post one, the son of All Bets Off surpassed $55,000 in career winnings with the victory. Brett LeBlanc sent the pacer to the front and parked out the favourite, The Bird Dance N.
Dan DesLandes took The Bird Dance N to the pocket, and he barely made it before Paul Langille and Batterup Hanover closed the hole.
Owned by Lilley, Blair Maclaughlan, Kent Livingston and Marc Gallant, the pacer controlled every fraction and held on for the victory. The Bird Dance N was second, with Island Beach Boy flying home late.
The time of the mile was 1:55.3 for the pacer. It was one of two wins on New Brunswick soil, winning earlier with Ubetimagoodone.
Earlier in the card, newcomer Flip The Script, for driver Brodie MacPhee and trainer Ashley MacDonald, equalled the mare pacing record with a trip in 1:56, tying the mark set by Abby Best.
Other winners on the day included P J Spudland for Colin DeCourcey, along with Littlesticious, Emperor, and Privilege. Racing resumes at Connell Park on Saturday, July 6, at 1 p.m.
