Charlie Is A Joker toted a four-race winning streak into his $19,000 conditioned assignment at Woodbine Racetrack on Thursday evening, and pushing the streak to five turned out to be a piece of cake for the Per Henriksen pupil.
The streak, which originated at Kawartha Downs on October 8, included a trio of victories at Rideau Carleton Raceway throughout the month of October in addition to a score at that same oval on November 18. Despite taking on tougher company with the move to Woodbine’s bigger oval, the gelding just kept on doing what he does best.
Driver Sylvain Filion tucked into the pocket with Charlie Is A Joker, and remainder there until the backstretch. Filion gave the three-year-old son of Angus Hall-Keystone Caprice marching order in the straightaway, and the photogenic homebred had no problem brushing to the top.
He led the field past the mid-way point in :58.4, and was still in command of the tempo at the three-quarter pole in 1:28.4 before Filion turned on the jets. The two-length lead at the three-quarter pole ballooned to a 4-1/2 length lead at the head of the lane, and at that point Filion appeared to simply wrap the gelding up. A :29.3 final frame was more than enough for Charlie Is A Joker to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Northern Cato in 1:58.2. Third prize went to Ashlake.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite in the nine-horse tilt, Charlie Is A Joker improved his 2011 record to 8-1-1 from just 10 trips to the track. Tom and Elizabeth Rankin of St. Catherines, ON bred and own the career winner of $34,307.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.