Goober Smack (Flanagan Memory) secured his third harness racing victory in his last four starts, achieving a new career best at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday, August 28. The 2023 Harvest Series winner was impressed with Fa's lifetime-best performance.
Driver Bruce Richardson, making his debut behind the colt, allowed Goober Smack to sit third from the rail, positioning him in fourth through first-half splits of :27.3 and :57. As the field entered the backstretch, Richardson moved Goober Smack first-over, challenging the leader, Allstar Goldi (Daryl Thiessen). The colt displayed a powerful late surge in the stretch, outpacing his rivals to win by two lengths in 1:56.1. Allstar Goldi finished second, with Fantastic Mvp (Travis Henry) coming in third.
Goober Smack, who has participated in three Ontario Sires Stakes legs this year and qualified for the Goodtimes final, won the Harvest Series last season. The Susanne Kerwood-trained colt has now won six of 14 lifetime starts, accumulating $74,125 in earnings. He is owned by S&R Racing Stable of Acton.
In another highlight of the card, Devils Kiss (Archangel) achieved his first career win in his 25th start. The gelding led from start to finish with Louis-Philippe Roy driving, completing the race in 1:58.3. Devils Kiss, who has primarily raced at Woodbine Mohawk Park, has earned $45,915 for trainer Kyle Fellows and owners N. Yolanda Fellows, Arpad Szabo, Blair Corbeil, and Mike McAllister.