Rooney supreme at London

Harness racing driver Garrett Rooney turned in a performance of the highest calibre on Friday (Feb. 16) at The Raceway at the Western Fair District as he won five of eight starts and placed in two of his three losses.

The reinsman was perfect in the first three races of the night. He took the opener with Money On The Beach (Sunshine Beach) in 1:59.2 for back-to-back victories with the gelding. Drinkin Buddy (Your Nemesis) romped for Rooney off a front-end trip in the second, winning by three lengths in 1:57.4. In the third, Cinderella Delight (Bettors Delight) held off the persistent Kiss It Better (Dan Clememnts) by a head in 2:00 to complete a natural hat trick for the driver.

Rooney’s streak ended in the fourth as he was not listed to drive. He came back in the fifth and nearly got My Buddy Sam past Enjoy Trotting despite a first-over trip, but the gelding fell short by a neck.

The pilot improved his triple to a grand slam in the next race, though, putting Champagne Bettina (Archangel) on the top and getting her home in 2:02.3 for a two-and-a-quarter-length win.

CHAMPAGNE BETTINA REPLAY

Bettor Not Sass (Betterthancheddar) became Rooney’s final winner one race as the driver orchestrated another wire-to-wire performance. The mare rolled to a two-and-a-quarter-length score in 1:59.3.

BETTOR NOT SASS REPLAY

Rooney had the eighth race off and placed again in the ninth before returning for the finale. His charge, Glenfidich, broke after the wings folded and was back to last early, but the gelding fought on and earned a fifth-place cheque.

Rooney finished the night with five wins and two seconds from eight drives and a positive cumulative margin of two-and-three-quarter lengths. The 39-year-old has started the season strong with a 17.2 per cent strike rate through 192 starts. After the Friday performance, he is tied with Tyler Borth atop the track’s 2024 drivers’ standings. He is coming off a career year in which he set personal records for starts, wins, earnings, and UDRS. He has made more than 100 starts every year since 2005.

In the Friday night finale, new trainer Ken Ellis tallied his first lifetime win. Wolinak (Wheeling N Dealing), whom he is leading from Doug McCarthy, led all the way and scored by a length in 2:00.1. Ellis made his debut on Feb. 1 with Wolinak, finishing second. The maiden-breaking win came in the trainer’s fourth start.

WOLINAK REPLAY

The Raceway at the Western Fair District continues racing on Monday, Feb. 19. The first of 10 races will go forward at 5:50 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink