Sunday's card at Flamboro Downs featured a trio of highly-competitive Preferred pacing events.
The first, a Preferred 2 event for horses and geldings with a purse of $11,000, was captured by newcomer Dont Say Goodby, now perfect in two local starts. Driver Simon Allard settled Don Say Goodby into third while favoured Mach Pride (J.R Plante) paced through splits of :26.4, :56 and 1:25.2. As the field turned for home, Brocks Fortune (James MacDonald) took his shot from the pocket to the outside of the pacesetter. That move allowed Dont Say Goodby room up the passing lane and hit the wire a half-length ahead Brocks Fortune in 1:55. Mach Pride was three-quarters of a length back of the leader in third.
Dont Say Goodby could be a horse to watch heading into the colder weather as his lines appear to indicate improved performance in the winter months. He's owned by Derek Menchhofer of Celina, Ohio and trained by Charles Roy Stewart.
The $7,000 Preferred 3 Pace for horses & geldings went to Western Captive and Anthony MacDonald. With Major Homer (James MacDonald) on the front and favoured Stoney Durkin (Ryan Holliday) in the pocket, Western Captive started his first over grind at the half-mile pole. He eventually wore down the pacesetter and held off a passing lane surge from Stoney Durkin to trip the timer in 1:57.1, a length to the good.
James Stevenson bred, trains and co-owns Western Captive (Western Terror - Capturethefeeling) along with William Stevenson of Dorchester, Ont. The pacer is the only horse in Stevenson's barn.
As expected, Zip Car was victorious in the $10,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2. Robert Shepherd settled the public choice into fifth in the field of seven, allowing an early tussle to settle up front before making his move at the three-eighths pole.
Second choice Twilight Seelster (Anthony MacDonald) was intent on the lead and kept Zip Car parked through a :58.2 half and 1:26.3 third panel. As the mares hit the stretch, Zip Car would not go away and dug deep to drive past Twilight Seelster in the final strides. Somethinincredible (Scott Coulter) rallied strongly for third in the 1:56.4 mile.
A four-year-old daughter of Royal Mattjesty - Winbak Celebration, Zip Car is owned by trainer Heather Toll, who co-owns the mare along with Mark Beaven of Dungannon, Ont. After going 1-for-14 as a two- and three-year-old, Zip Car has certainly found her stride as an aged performer with 10 wins from 27 starts and more than $60,000 earned.
To view the full results from Sunday's card at Flamboro, click the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.