Perfect start for rookie filly

Forrest Leah (Bettors Delight) won Kawartha Downs’s first two-year-old harness racing contest of the season on Friday (Jun. 28) in her career debut.

Trainer/driver John Thomson secured her pocket positioning until discarding it to step around the leader on the backstretch. The filly went clear by two-and-a-half lengths by three-quarters and carried the gap into the stretch. Laydee Freight (Doug Hie), the previous leader, attempted to rally, but Forrest Leah proved best by a length in 1:59.1. Gooned Again (Murray Brethour) closed from third, missing place by a quarter-length.

FORREST LEAH REPLAY

Forrest Leah was a $28,000 London Classic purchase by Larry Todd of Oakwood, who co-owns her with Thomson. The filly won both of her qualifiers leading into her debut. She is a full sister to Ontario Sires Stakes Gold winner Betalady.

In the night cap, Majestic Virgin (Always A Virgin) took her fourth straight win to surpass $300,000 in lifetime earnings. Samuel Fillion piloted the mare to the four-length victory in 1:55.3 for trainer Tom Riley and owner Amanda Riley. The eight-year-old, a former Indiana Sire Stakes leg winner, is nine-for-12 this season.

Tom Riley won three races on the night.

Fillion won three of the eight races on the card.

The next card at Kawartha Downs is set for Friday, Jul. 5.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink