Cajon Lightning strikes in Ontario Boys opener

Richard Moreau trainees swept the Exactor in the opening leg of the harness racing Ontario Boys Series Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack.

A field of nine Ontario sired four-year-old pacers competed in the Ontario Boys $18,000 opening leg.

Richard Moreau sent out a pair of starters, including the 2/5 favourite Rafa. However, Cajon Lightning would steal the thunder from his stablemate with a 1:52.2 victory.

Driven by Trevor Henry, Cajon Lightning sat third around the first turn, while Mach Code cut an opening-quarter of :27.1. Rafa, who was second, circled to the lead entering the backstretch and posted a half-mile clocking of :56.1.

Rafa led the field by the three-quarter pole in 1:24.3, while Filion was able to angle Cajon Lightning off the pylons for the stretch drive.

In the lane, Rafa fought off pressure from first-up challenger Half A Billion, but he could not hold off Cajon Lightning. The Moreau trainee powered by for Henry and finished a length and a half ahead of his stablemate.

Half A Billion finished third, while Mach Code was fourth.

A son of Mach Three, Cajon Lightning is owned by William Wood, William Dittmar Jr., Stephen Iaquinta and Minisink Farms LLC. The four-year-old pacer entered Saturday's contest winless in two starts this season after winning six of 21 last year.

Cajon Lightning now has seven career victories and earnings exceeding $110,000.

The Moreau trainee paid $11 to win.

Cajon Lightning

In order to be eligible to the Ontario Boys, the four-year-old Ontario sired pacers had to be non-winners of $60,000 lifetime as of October 31, 2015.

Also on Saturday, Nickle Bag once again prevailed in the $34,000 Preferred pace.

The Bill Robinson trainee entered Saturday on a two-race win streak, including a gritty first-over victory in last week's $34,000 feature.

Regular driver Trevor Henry was once again in the bike and was aggressive with the six-year-old. Nickle Bag made a second-quarter brush to the lead after getting away third.

The Robinson trainee posted middle-fractions of :55 and 1:22.4, before pacing home in :28.1 to win the Preferred by two-lengths. Prescotts Hope finished second, while Nirvana Seelster was third.

A son of Rocknroll Hanover, Nickle Bag now has four wins in six starts this season for earnings of $64,500. The Robinson trainee sports a career resume of 23 victories and earnings exceeding $524,000.

Nickle Bag paid $4.60 to win.

Nickle Bag

Live racing resumes Monday (February 8) at Woodbine. Post time is 7:30 p.m.

Mark McKelvie