Bill Megens wins race at 87 years old

Ontario harness racing horseman Bill Megens became the oldest driver to win a race at Flamboro Downs as the 87-year-old guided Opas Faith to victory on Sunday.

Megens put the Angus Hall filly whom he trains, owns and bred on the front early. The pair led all the way from there, holding off Smashing Success (Travis Henry) by a head for the win in 2:04.2. It was a maiden-breaking score for Opas Faith, who managed two show finishes in her first four appearances.

BILL MEGENS/OPAS FAITH REPLAY

Megens employed catch drivers in the horse’s previous efforts, but the Guelph resident took the lines as he dropped her to the Flamboro maiden ranks. According to track announcer Gary Guy, Megens was the oldest ever winning driver at the track. The Guelph resident also owns and bred the filly’s dam, Musclemaya.

The horseman finished second with another homebred, Denise, in the next race.

Megens has racked up 1,188 driving wins across six decades, and his drives have earned $4,561,000. He last won on Jul. 2, 2019 at Georgian Downs with Willyorwonthe and currently trains a small group of horses.

Flamboro Downs continues action on Tuesday, Sep. 7. The 10-race program, starting at 6:35 p.m. EDT, features a Preferred 2 Pace.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink