Larry Ferrari secured a delightful triumph during Saturday's racing event as he partnered with trotter Kandy Sweet in a high-stakes Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) race, boasting an impressive purse of $10,811.
The race unfolded on a frigid night in the vicinity of Lake Erie, and it was Kandy Sweet, an experienced seven-year-old mare sired by Team Six, who took an early lead and valiantly defended her position against relentless challenges in the final half-mile.
With sheer determination, Kandy Sweet ultimately triumphed by the narrowest of margins, prevailing by a mere nose in a remarkable time of 1:59.3. Edward Miller's Admiral Blaze, who found an opportune path along the pylons turning for home, finished a close second, while Lauren Harmon's Deliciousstone DK, who valiantly battled from an outside position throughout the race, secured the third spot. Eric Miller's Triumphant Chip settled for fourth place, and Braiden Rhoades' MNC claimed the fifth position.
Kandy Sweet, who commanded the attention of the betting public with odds of 1-5, exhibited sharp reflexes as she left from post four and engaged in a thrilling duel with Admiral Blaze, the second favourite, who started from post three. Despite the chilly conditions, Kandy Sweet was forced to set a blistering pace with a swift opening quarter of :28.4. Once she established her position at the front, Kandy Sweet managed to catch a breather with a slightly slower second quarter of :31.3, reaching the halfway mark in a more comfortable time of 1:00.2. However, Deliciousstone DK launched a determined challenge, resulting in a fiercely contested third quarter with a time of :28.3. Kandy Sweet and Deliciousstone DK locked eyes, while Admiral Blaze eagerly sought an opportunity to make his move.
As they turned for home, Kandy Sweet valiantly held onto her lead, but Admiral Blaze found a narrow opening along the pylons. The two contenders raced tirelessly towards the finish line, with their positions becoming almost indistinguishable at the wire. This left Ferrari uncertain of the outcome, and he admitted,
"To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure who won... it was that close. We had to push hard in the initial stages to secure the lead, but the respite in the second quarter proved vital. Nevertheless, we faced a fierce challenge in the third quarter and managed to just inch ahead... it was a thrilling 'head bob,' as some would say!"
Trained by the skilled Cory Crosier and owned by the esteemed Ameer Najor, Kandy Sweet has now amassed impressive career earnings of $307,877. Notably, 17 of her 25 lifetime victories have been achieved from a front-running position, showcasing her exceptional speed and resilience. Ferrari himself is currently experiencing a winning streak, having emerged victorious in his last three amateur races.
This remarkable series of triumphs began on December 30 of the previous year with So Wishfull, continued on January 12 with Wild And Crazy Guy, and culminated in this latest achievement. Throughout his illustrious career, Ferrari has accumulated an impressive total of 384 wins in various races across the United States. Kandy Sweet's legion of faithful supporters were rewarded handsomely, as she returned a palatable $2.60 for a winning bet.