Regal Luck and Monte Cristo found their way to the winner’s circle in their respective Preferred assignments Sunday evening at Flamboro Downs, and both pacers did so by knocking off the favourites.
Regal Luck was treated to a two-hole trip by driver Paul MacKenzie in the $8,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3, and she parlayed that sweet ride into a narrow score over the public’s top choice, Lyons River Pride.
Lyons River Pride rolled to the lead from Post 7 and sliced out splits of :28, :57.3 and 1:26.2, but Regal Luck used a :29.4 closing quarter to prevail over that foe by a head in 1:56.2. Third prize in the seven-mare affair went to Bestulldotanite.
John Smith, Jr. of Burford, Ont. bred, owns and trains the seven-year-old daughter of Stonebridge Regal-Lapidarys Luck. The victory improved her 2017 record to 2-3-2 from nine trips postward. The 25-time winner recently went over $200,000 in career earnings.
Monte Cristo managed to go the distance for driver Nick Steward in the $7,500 Preferred 3 for horse and gelding pacers. The Stephane Larocque pupil led through fractions of :27.2, :58.1 and 1:26.4 before kicking home in :28.4 to win by 1-1/2 lengths over race favourite Win One Soon in 1:55.3. Taking home the show dough was UF Bettors Hanover.
Larocque owns the nine-year-old son of Admirals Galley-Get Out Amanda with Online Stables of Mississauga, Ont. The veteran, who is a 24-time winner to date, notched his first win of the season. He’s closing in on $350,000 in career earnings.
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Flamboro Downs.