Ride Away Shark and driver Travis Henry scored a front-stepping victory in the $10,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 Pace on Wednesday night (December 28) at Flamboro Downs.
One of the three inside leavers, Ride Away Shark raced three-wide into the first turn and forged to the front ahead of classmates Honor Roll (J Harris) and A Plus (Scott Young). She reached the quarter in :28.3 and continued to lead the field, which settled in single-file alignment, through the half in :58.3. A Plus then launched an unsuccessful first-over bid with Twin B Inspiring (Phil Hudon) slipping out three-wide while Ride Away Shark passed three-quarters in 1:27.3. Meanwhile, trailer Cant Stop (Scott Coulter) searched for racing room towards the inside, but was only able to crack the top three as Ride Away Shark cruised home a winner in 1:56.3 with Honor Roll closing within three-quarters of a length along the pylons for second.
Ride Away Shark is trained by Scott McNiven and owned by Kimberley McNiven and Thomas Brodhurst.
The four-year-old Classic Card Shark mare was Preferred 3 winner at The Raceway at the Western Fair District in her last outing on December 13 with prior starts on the WEG circuit. She paid $5 to win as the 3-2 second choice on the toteboard to 6-5 favourite Sing Like An Angel, who finished sixth.
Ride Away Shark has put together a seasonal scorecard reading 4-7-5 in 37 starts with an annual income totalling $68,990. The win was her 10th lifetime and pushed her bankroll to $193,270.
Owned by Hutt Racing Stable and trained by Blake MacIntosh, Lady Jen ($5.50) and driver Phil Hudon won the $7,500 Mares Preferred 3, looping to the lead after the opening quarter and holding off longshot pursuer Top Royal (Robert Shepherd) by less than a length in 1:56.3. Early leader and 8-5 favourite Regal Luck (Paul MacKenzie) followed third inside, finishing just ahead of the wide-rallying Sauble Ashley (Bruce Richardson).
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Flamboro Downs.