All Bets On Tex wires field in Walter Dale Memorial

Jeffrey Lilley was confident in his horse All Bets On Tex (All Bets Off) and was quick to accept an invitation to the prestigious Walter Dale Memorial in Woodstock, New Brunswick.

That “bet” paid off as the pacer captured the $8,000 Walter Dale Memorial as Horse Racing New Brunswick celebration of Canada Day meant the first card of harness racing in the province this season.

Leaving from post one, All Bets On Tex went over $ 55,000 with the victory. Brett LeBlanc sent the pacer to the front and parked out The Bird Dance N, the favorite.

Dan Deslandes took The Bird Dance N to the pocket, and he barely made it before Paul Langille and Batterup Hanover closed the hole up.

Owned by Jeffrey Lilley, Blair Maclaughlan, Kent Livingston and Marc Gallant, he controlled every fraction and held on for the victory. The Bird Dance N was second, with Island Beach Boy flying home late. The winner paid $11.20.

Time of the mile was 1:55.3 for the pacer. It was one of two wins on the New Brunswick soil winning earlier with Ubetimagoodone.

Earlier in the card, the mare pacing record was equaled with a trip in 1:56 turned on by newcomer Flip The Script (American Ideal) for Brodie MacPhee and trainer Ashley MacDonald. It tied the mark set by Abby Best.

Other winners included P J Spudland for Colin DeCourcey, Littlesticious, Emperor, Privilege. Racing resumes at Connell Park this coming Saturday at 1:00 P.M.

Horse Racing New Brunswick thanks all horsemen and women, fans, and its many volunteers behind the scenes who work so hard to make Connell Park a great place to come together.

For complete race results, click here.

by Scott Waddell, for Horse Racing New Brunswick