Twelve-year-old returns after four years for career-best win

Twelve-year-old gelding Djs Kocakolacowboy (Force Of Life) won by double-digit lengths in lifetime-best time at Truro Raceway on Friday (Jul. 28) in his second start off the shelf after a four-year layoff.

He was the fastest off the car for Paul Langille and extended his gap in every quarter. He was up two-and-a-half lengths in the :28.4 first panel, four-and-a-half at the midway point in :59, seven at the three-quarter station in 1:28, and crossed the line 14-and-a-quarter lengths in front in 1:58.

DJS KOCAKOLACOWBOY REPLAY

It was the gelding’s first start since September 2018 and first win since Oct. 23, 2016. The mile time was a career best by one second and one-fifth. Owner Robert Salsman of Stewiake picked up the gelding on Jun. 7 and brought him back to his old trainer, Henry Smallwood. Smallwood drove the gelding, who has made 117 starts and earned $11,809, to four of his eight career wins.

Also on the card, rookie pacer Brookdale Miki (Always B Miki) added a third consecutive victory to the strong opening chapter of his career.

He was left wide going into the first turn after starting from post six and motored first-up through the :29 opening quarter to take the vacant pocket spot for Bernard McCallum. He sat behind pace-setter Better On Than Off (Daniel Romo) through :58.3 and 1:27.4 middle panels, then ducked to the inside in the stretch and squeezed by that rival to score in 1:58.1.

Bettor On Than Off was second by a quarter-length. Maximumlovin (Mary Macdonald) finished third.

BROOKDALE MIKI REPLAY

McCallum trains Brookdale Miki, who has won three of his four career starts for $2,220 in earnings. Douglas R. Polley and Douglas E. Polley purchased the gelding for $17,000 from the Harrisburg sale.

Fellow two-year-old Hes Sure Good (Hes Watching) broke his maiden with a 12-length romp in 1:59.2. Marc Whebby drives the colt for trainer Noah Whebby and owner Wayne Whebby of Dartmouth. The $22,000 yearling purchase is now one-for-two lifetime.

Racing returns to Truro Raceway on Friday, Sep. 2.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink