The three-year-old Jate Lobell-Dream Above colt won his sixth straight race in Saturday evening's $46,000 final and thus completed a convincing three-week sweep of the series.
Driver Steve Condren settled Highest Authority away in mid-pack as Not Demott and Daisys Boy took one another to task through an opening quarter of :262. Daisys Boy clung to the lead at the half in :55, but was soon under siege. Highest Authority had begun his march as did second choice Dreams Shark, who tipped three-wide around stalled cover. However, straightening out for home, Highest Authority had complete authority of the race, widening to a three length margin by the wire in 1:531. Dreams Shark was a solid second and Membership took home third money.
"Right now, he's definitely on top of his game," said Condren, who has never lost in seven decisions aboard Highest Authority. "I was just hoping to get away somewhere in the middle and it worked out well as far as how the race set up for me. I really wasn't too concerned about being first up. He was first up last week around the last turn and he handled it terrific. I heard Mike (Saftic with Dreams Shark) coming and I had to use him a little bit. He still had lots left for home. He was very well in hand tonight considering he was fighting that head wind."
Since returning to the races in November, Highest Authority has matured into the horse trainer John Burns thought he would become. The Valedictory title was his tenth win in 21 starts this year and he's now earned $109,810.
"He's sound, healthy and he feels good about himself," said Burns, who shares the ownership with Fielding Equine, Peter Berry and Julian Zajac. "We couldn't find anything major wrong with him when we shut him down (in July), but I wanted to give the time. He's come back really well. When a horse is winning they develop a great attitude and that's what he has."
Burns said Highest Authority will return to Woodbine in early January for the opening leg of the Willowdale Pacing Series.
As the 4-5 favourite, he returned $3.60 to win and topped a $111.60 triactor.
Rair Earth wins Free For All Pace
Rair Earth has become a very rare commodity. The soon-to-be five-year-old Keystone Raider stallion took his 44th and last turn behind the starting gate this season on Saturday and looked as fresh as possible in the $58,000 Free For All Pace.
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