Woodstock records broken in Downey Memorial

One Wicked Man (Mcwicked) broke the 26-year-old Connell Park track record for a two-year-old pacing colt as he won his fourth straight harness racing contest in the Milton Downey Memorial on Saturday (Sep. 7).

The rookie colt was fifth away in the six-horse field to the quarter in :28.4 and kicked off a first-over march for Kenny Arsenault approaching the half in :59.1. He rolled past horses and pulled ahead of leader Prince Malicious (Jason Hughes) at three-quarters in 1:28.2 before kicking clear on the final turn and finishing well to win by a length-and-a-quarter in 1:57.3. Prince Malicious was a clear second-best with Sergeant Crowley (Myles Heffernan) six lengths back in third.

ONE WICKED MAN REPLAY

The winner lowered the record by nearly two seconds from the 1:59.2 mark set by Argo Flutie in 1998. In doing so, One Wicked Man also became the fastest two-year-old in the track’s history.

One Wicked Man is five-for-six in his rookie season with three stakes victories and $31,627 in earnings. Arsenault trains the colt for James Perrot of Stratford.

Lady Hess (Heston Blue Chip) got in on the record-breaking action as she won the first filly split of the Milton Downey Memorial in 1:58.3, knocking two fifths off the track record for a rookie female pacer. She took over for Adam Merner at the first station, went unchallenged through the middle splits, and soared away by five-and-three-quarter lengths for the victory.

Jafetica (Heffernan) was five-and-three-quarter lengths back in second. Show finisher Howmac Charger (Hughes) was well back of her.

Chip Of Evil set the previous track record of 1:59 last year.

LADY HESS REPLAY

Lady Hess has won three of her seven starts with a pair of stakes wins for trainer Jamie Smith. The filly’s bankroll now totals $18,152 for owner Groupof7 Stable of Charlottetown.

My Happy Place (Shadow Play, Gilles Barrieau) captured the second division in similar fashion, going wire-to-wire and crushing by five-and-a-quarter lengths in 2:00. Pownalbay Collen (Brodie MacPhee) battled first-up and held off Woodmere Flojo (Merner) for place.

My Happy Place is undefeated in three starts, all in stakes competition, with $17,510 in earnings. Ronald Matheson trains the filly for Patrick Morris of Charlottetown.

The Milton Downey Memorial, for two-year-old pacers, is named for New Brunswick horseman Milton Downey, who was known as a breeder and buyer of young horses.

Racing will continue at Connell Park on Saturday, Sep. 14.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink