New year, new Woodmere Alvin

Woodmere Alvin (Rollwithitharry) found his footing in Ontario to start 2023, taking his first harness racing win in the province after missing the board in his first eight since shipping from Manitoba.

The gelding rallied from seventh to first at The Raceway at The Western Fair District on Wednesday (Jan. 4). Tyler Borth snuck him off the pylons from seventh and got him to the far outside despite traffic on the final turn. Woodmere Alvin  then rocketed down the lane past two foes to claim the 1:59.1 victory at 13-1.

WOODMERE ALVIN REPLAY

It was the five-year-old’s 17th career victory. He competed in stakes in the Maritimes at two and three and spent the first half of 2022 in the United States before moving to Manitoba for Winnipeg’s Donald Howlett and Dwayne Taylor of Minto. There, he won six Opens at Miami Fair for trainer Matthew Howlett and picked up the Aged Horse of the Year award. The gelding made his Ontario debut on Oct. 5, 2022 but picked up one cheque in eight tries to finish the year. He has earned $93,426 lifetime in 64 starts.

Also on The Raceway’s card, two winning streaks carried over into the new year: Rockabillycockshut (Bettors Delight) picked up a fifth straight and Gringo Star (Western Paradise) completed a quartet. The former needed the photo finish camera, holding Big Lady J off by a nose to score in 1:58.3 for J. Bradley Harris. The latter prevailed by a half-length with Colin Kelly aboard in 1:58.4.

Friday, Jan. 6 is the next scheduled race date at The Raceway at the Western Fair District. Action will begin at 4:50 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink