Sent the odds-on favourite, Richard Moreau-trainee Boomboom Ballykeel won the $11,500 Preferred 2 Handicap Pace on the Monday, January 8 program at Western Fair going wire to wire in 1:57.2.

Grabbing control through a :29.3 opening quarter, Boomboom Ballykeel endured minor first-over pressure from Southwind Masimo passing the half, timed in :59.2. Reel, positioned second over, circled by Southwind Masimo through the backstretch, drawing within two lengths of the leader at three-quarters in 1:28. Boomboom Ballykeel turned Reel away into the stretch, facing Sure Please through the stretch as he pounced off a pocket trip, but settling for second three-quarters lengths off the leader at the line. Reel finished third with Its A Big Secret, off a rail trip, in a dead heat.

A seven-year-old stallion by Mach Three out of the Presidential Ball mare Teig N Riley, Boomboom Ballykeel, owned by Ballykeel Racing, won his 30th race in 148 starts, earning $845,406. Driven by Travis Henry, he paid $3.20 to win.

(Standardbred Canada)