The winning streak is now seven-in-a-row and counting for Mister Herbie, who trounced the foes he faced in Monday’s $50,000 Open Trot at Woodbine Racetrack.
Making his first start since December 26, Mister Herbie had an impressive qualifier without the trotting hopples on February 3 and he was flawless in his first start off the bench for trainer Jeff Gillis.
Jody Jamieson was in no hurry off the starting gate with Mister Herbie, who tucked into the four-hole while Order By Roosevelt sliced out an opening quarter in :27.3. Race favourite Frenchfrysnvinegar pocket pulled on the leader coming out of the opening turn, and in a matter of strides she was perched on the point.
Frenchfrysnvinegar led past the mid-way point in :56.1 before coming under pressure around the final turn from stable mate Mister Herbie. Not much separated those two at the three-quarter pole in 1:25.2, but Frenchfrysnvinegar couldn’t stay with Mister Herbie in the late stages. Last year’s OSS Super Final champ used a :28.1 final frame to win by 4-3/4 lengths over Order By Roosevelt, with third prize going to a rallying Windsong Geant.
Owned by J Gillis G Stay of Hillsburgh and Mac Nichol of Burlington, ON, Mister Herbie won for the 11th time in his career. The $25,000 payday bumped his lifetime earnings to $354,403.
(courtesy Standardbred Canada)