With a pair of victories on the Thursday (December 13) card at Flamboro Downs, driver Paul MacKenzie surpassed the $50 million mark in lifetime earnings.
MacKenzie picked up cheques in six of seven Thursday night drives to surpass the $50 million mark, including wins aboard Machapelo ($13.20) in Race 2 and Onecentfromheaven ($3.30) in Race 4. His career total after Thursday's card stands at $50,003,077.
The Puslinch, Ont. resident, who began his driving career at age 16 on the East Coast, has been one of the top B circuit drivers in Ontario for decades, boasting more than 8,600 lifetime victories. The accomplished horseman has also trained nearly 950 winners.
In the Thursday feature race, the wire came at just the right time for Waikiki Hanover in the $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot.
Sent off as the second choice at odds just shy of 5-1, Waikiki Hanover was forwardly positioned by driver Marc St. Louis Jr. as the wings of the gate folded. Waikiki Hanover cleared to the lead before the opening :28.3 quarter and would never be fronted.
Torches Angel (Brett MacDonald) started a first-over bid heading to the half, providing cover to favoured Azucar (Travis Henry). Heading down the backside, Waikiki Hanover kicked into another gear and ganied some separation on the field, forcing Henry to angle Azucar three-wide around a stalled Torches Angel. With an advantage of more than four lengths through a 1:26.4 third panel, Waikiki Hanover and St. Louis appeared on their way to a bottoming out of the field. However, Azucar had a full tank and kept making ground on the leader around the final turn. A margin of nearly three lengths at the head of the lane dwindled with every stride but the wire came at just the right time for Waikiki Hanover, hitting the wire a length up on Azucar in 1:57.1. Smoke Monkey (Colin Kelly) closed well to complete the triactor.
Trained by Alan D. Fair for owner Elizabeth Fair of Ancaster, Ont., Waikiki Hanover (Cantab Hall - Whitesand Samantha) notched his fifth win of the year and 25th lifetime. At the age of eight, the trotting gelding is enjoying his most successful season in terms of earnings. The win on Thursday bumps his seasonal bankroll to $38,045 and lifts his lifetime earnings to $188,138.
To view the results from Thursday's card at Flamboro Downs, click the following link: Thursday Results - Flamboro Downs.