Emmetts Buddy back in the win column

2023 O’Brien nominee Emmetts Buddy (In The Irons) returned to form after five straight losses with a conditioned harness racing win on Saturday (Jun. 22) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

He stuck it out wide going through the first turn and quarter in :26 for Tyler Borth, reaching the top from post 10 on the backstretch. The middle splits went in :53.3 and 1:22.4 with little pressure, and Emmetts Buddy straightened for home with only The Greek Freak (Tyler Jones) in close quarters. The pocket-sitter made slight headway down the lane, but Emmetts Buddy maintained a length advantage to the line for the 1:49.2. victory. Cold Creek Queso (Sylvain Filion) got up for third.

EMMETTS BUDDY REPLAY

Emmetts Buddy is now three-for-nine on the season and broke 1:50 for the first time this year in Saturday’s win. The gelding, who was bred, sired, and broken in Manitoba, became the fastest horse from his province ever last year. The five-year-old, trained by Mike Kwietniowski, has won 22 of 61 starts and has earned $331,039 for owner/breeder Arthur Rey.

Also on the card, Blue Hunt (Huntsville) took his first win following three losses against high-class opponents. The gelding got to the front just past the midway point, attempted to bottom out the field coming around the final turn, and held on by three-quarters-of-a-length to score in 1:48.4 with Ed Hensley aboard. American History (Dale Spence) was second, followed by Control Heaven (Borth).

BLUE HUNT REPLAY

It was the third win of 2024 for Blue Hunt, who has earned cheques in the Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup, Camluck Classic, and Mohawk Gold Cup this season. He is nine-for-46 lifetime and has earned $363,779. Jodie Cullen conditions the four-year-old for Daguet Racing, Donald MacRae, and Stephen Klunowski.

Filion led all drivers with four wins on the 10-race program.

The next card at Woodbine Mohawk Park is set for Monday, Jun. 24 with a first post of 7:10 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink