Another Preferred win for Emmetts Buddy

Manitoban harness racing gelding Emmetts Buddy (In The Irons) further staked his claim as one of Canada’s top aged pacing males as he won the $32,000 Preferred-2 at Woodbine Mohawk Park for the second time in four weeks on Saturday (Oct. 21).

The win was also a birthday bonus for trainer Mike Kwietniowski, who turned 38 on the day.

Emmetts Buddy slid over into the four-hole heading for the first turn and held that position through opening panels of :26.3 and :54.3. Travis Cullen tipped him out first-up on the final turn, flushing out Cold Creek Queso (Phil Hudon), and the gelding began to advance on cover as leader Livinthebeachlife (Jonathan Drury) reached three-quarters in 1:22.3.

Emmetts Buddy found his best stride in mid-stretch and rode the wave past all three rivals in front of him, shooting to the front with a burst of speed to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:50.

Ron (Phil Hudon) made a closing move from sixth to take second over Livinthebeachlife.

EMMETTS BUDDY REPLAY

Emmetts Buddy has won two Preferred-2s in his last four outings. In the two he lost between his victories, he placed to Jimmy Freight and Breeders Crown contender Tattoo Artist. The gelding was sired, bred, foaled, and trained in Manitoba and raced most of his debut season in the province last year. He won the Manitoba Great Western and five other races for owner/trainer/breeder Arthur Rey before shipping to Ontario and Kwietniowski’s barn in October. He has since climbed the class ladder and recently broke through to the Free For All ranks. The four-year-old is now 17-for-44 lifetime and has earned $215,519.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will resume racing action on Monday, Oct. 23 with a 12-race card featuring the first leg of the Ontario-sired Harvest Series.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink