Oh Gouda defeats Prospect Series champ

Oh Gouda (All Bets Off) upset Prospect Series champion Yoda Queen, ending her four-race win streak in a conditioned harness racing contest at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Tuesday (Nov. 21).

The fillies went one-two to the quarter in :29.1 with Oh Gouda on top for Michael Horner at 7-1. Italia Seelster (J. Bradley Harris) entered the mix as they turned for the stands with a first-up move to draw level with the leader at the half in 1:01.3.

Oh Gouda defied the challenger, edging back out to a one-length lead by three-quarters in 1:32.1. J M Outspoken (Tyler Borth) tipped three-wide at that point, and the leaders went three-abreast around the far turn. Oh Gouda put them away at the top of the stretch but was joined by Yoda Queen (Andy Moore), who put in the strongest bid from the pocket. She closed down the pacesetter, but Oh Gouda held her off by three-quarters-of-a-length to score in 2:01.4.

Yoda Queen was second and five-and-a-half lengths clear of show finisher J M Outspoken at the finish.

OH GOUDA REPLAY

The win brought Oh Gouda’s seasonal tally to double digits and her career record to 11 victories in 31 attempts. The filly, trained by Horner for R A W Equine of Burlington and Mark Horner of St. Marys, has now earned $60,803. She finished second in the Prospect Series Final to Yoda Queen.

Also on the card, United Blue Chip (Stay Hungry) reached the winner’s circle for the first time in 29 starts. The sophomore came second-over, went three-wide on the final turn, and surged in the stretch to break his maiden for Don Rankin in 2:02.4. He has earned $17,054 in his 29 starts, the prior 28 of which came without a win. Rankin trains the colt and co-owns him with Ralph Mackinley.

UNITED BLUE CHIP REPLAY

The Raceway at the Western Fair District’s schedule continues on Friday, Nov. 24. It will kick off the 10-race card at 5:50 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink