By Sadie Fowler

History was made Wednesday night as Lined Royal Cash cruised into the winner’s circle for the 11th time in the fine harness division, having now won more wins in this division than any other horse in Celebration history. On this night, Mike Overcast was in the buggy for the winning drive, however, over the years there have been a crew of drivers who’ve partnered up with the fancy mare to achieve her prestigious record, including owners Wilsene and Jack Kwok and trainer Bobby Hugh. 

“We knew it was possible (to break the record) but you never know until it’s all over,” said Jack Kwok, reflecting on the win Thursday morning. “Friday night, Wilsene won and that tied us with the former record holder, Classic Generator, who had won 10 times in fine harness. Then last night, with Mike Overcast at the whip, that made 11 wins.”

Lined Royal Cash is an 8-year-old mare by Lined With Cash and out of Royal Master’s Miss (by Pride’s Royal Master). The Kwoks found her back in 2008.

“She’s a great horse, and Bobby is the best trainer, especially with harness horses,” Kwok said. “He actually won both splits last night. He won the other class with Bingo Time, and then Mike won with our mare.”

The Kwok’s purchased Lined Royal Cash in 2008, when she was three. Her owners describe her as being sweet, and easy to show. To no surprise, then, she’s taken all three of her partners to blue ribbons to culminate with her record-breaking ride last night. Jack has won four times with her at the Celebration, Wilsene has won with her three times, and Hugh and Overcast have each won with her twice. 

Wednesday night was the second year in a row for Overcast to have won with her. 

Her records go beyond the Celebration. The mare, who is Wilsene’s beloved horse more than anyone’s, has also excelled in the 15.2 and under division and has earned many other accolades over the years, which she started out in. The Kwoks unexpectedly lost their former harness horse and, one day, as a replacement, Hugh suggested they try Lined Royal Cash in harness.

“He said, ‘Why not try her?’ and as it turned out, when we put her in the buggy she rose up and got even bigger. She’s small but looks much bigger in harness. She has won a lot and was even named the Super Mare of the Year award for TWHBEA in 2014-2016. She is Wilsene’s baby and Wilsene adores her … 

“She actually found us. Before we bought her, we had it down to two horses, but when Wilsene saw her in the crossties she put her head up to Wilsene and sort of hugged her … she found us,” Jack said.

The rest is history, and as Jack summarizes, perfectly, “Not every horse is meant for harness, but she’s great.”
Her record is a result of Jack winning with her in 2013. In 2014, she won with all three of her drivers, Jack, Hugh and Wilsene. In 2015, she won with all three again and Jack even retired a challenge trophy. In 2017, Jack and Overcast won with her. Wilsene suffered a bit of a setback with battling breast cancer, but she came back this year to top her field with her favorite partner, earning the mare’s 10th Celebration win, only to be followed up with Overcast winning with her Wednesday night to seal the deal and make history in doing so. 

“It was very satisfying for us, and especially Wilsene, to take this mare and campaign her all the way to the top,” Jack said. “Ci Ci is on cloud nine. To set a record at the Celebration … that doesn’t happen every day.”