Despite a misstep behind the gate, 1-5 favourite Boomboom Ballykeel proved to be much the best in winning the $11,000 Oktoberfest Pace featured on the season opening card of harness racing at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Friday, Oct. 7.

While he had the advantage of the inside post, Boomboom Ballykeel made a minor miscue behind the gate and ended up in fourth-place early on as Bestofthebunch (Lorne House) out-sprinted Haydens Little Man (Jason Ryan) for the lead into a :27.2 opening quarter. However, Boomboom Ballykeel launched his attack approaching the :56.3 half-mile mark while his stablemate Ufdragons Rocket (J Harris) advanced from the back of the pack. As Carroll pulled the earplugs on the way to the 1:25 third quarter mark, Boomboom Ballykeel collared the early leaver and drew off to win by three and a half lengths in 1:54 flat. Bestofthebunch held on in a three-way finish for the runner-up honours. Ufdragons Rocket edged out Haydens Little Man for third.

Boomboom Ballykeel paid $2.60 to win as the heavy favourite in the Oktoberfest field that was scratched down to six starters. The victory was his seventh this year from 33 starts and 20th lifetime, pushing his earnings to $745,756.

The five-year-old homebred son of Mach Three and Teig N Riley is owned by Ballykeel Racing Inc. of Tillsonburg, Ont.

Carroll and Moreau also teamed up to win last year’s inaugural Oktoberfest Classic with Evenin Of Pleasure while Boomboom Ballykeel finished fifth as the favourite in that $50,000 Invitational event.

Canada’s leading driver and trainer also combined for a victory earlier on Friday evening with trotter The Land Shark ($3.30). Carroll drove four of the first eight winners on the program.

(Standardbred Canada)