Bourbans Best wins final start at age 14

Fourteen-year-old Bourbans Best scored in his final race Thursday (December 30) at MGM Northfield Park. As the calendar will be turning to 2022 Bourbans Best will be forced into harness racing retirement per the rules of the United States Trotting Association because every racehorse turns a year older each January 1.

Bourbans Best (Pro Bono Best–Mattachevitz–Matt’s Scooter) from post two (after a scratch to his inside) in the evening’s $6,000 claiming event.

He led his competition at every call through fractions of :27.4, :57.2, 1:26.2 and 1:55.4, beating his competition by 1 ½-lengths. He was heavily favored in the race and paid $2.20 to win.

BOURBANS BEST REPLAY

The classy veteran leaves racing with 472 career starts resulting in 58 wins, 62 seconds and 62 third-place finishes. Bourbans Best has career earnings of $337,864 with a lifetime mark of 1:52, taken at Northfield at age 12.

The gelding’s richest win was for a purse of $14,000 in a Late Closing Series final at Northfield in 2019. Bourbans Best is a well-traveled campaigner as his 472 starts have been spread across 12 different racing surfaces.

Ashley Burke of Mount Vernon, Ohio owns and trains Bourbans Best. Chris Lems drove the racing stalwart in his career finale.

For full race results, click here.

by Ayers Ratliff, for MGM Northfield Park