Goldstar Badlands pulled off a double-digit upset in the $7,500 Preferred 3 Pace while Mister X extended his current win streak to highlight Sunday night's harness racing action at Flamboro Downs.
Driven by Scott Young, Goldstar Badlands rallied wide at three-quarters and raced outside of first over Monte Cristo as they tracked down race leader Adkins Hanover. Goldstar Badlands then drew clear of Monte Cristo, the 6-5 favourite, down the stretch for the 1:55.1 victory. Donegal Gerald came on for third.
Sent postward at odds of 10-1 after finishing out-of-the-money in the Preferred 3 ranks last Sunday, Goldstar Badlands rewarded his faithful following with a $22.50 win payout. The five-year-old son of Badlands Hanover has now won three of his last four starts at Flamboro Downs for trainer Heather Toll and owner Morley Bradshaw of Wilsonville, Ont.
Earlier on the card, Mister X made it eight straight wins with a 1:53.4 front-striding effort in an $8,800 pace for non-winners of $50,000 lifetime.
Alfie Carroll sent the four-year-old Mister Big gelding down the road for trainer Ken Oliver and owners Shirley and Kerry House of St Jacobs, Ont. and Kimberly Inglis of Brampton, Ont. He turned back even-money favourite Star Cover along the way and held off the pocket-pulling Sir Machalot down the stretch by half a length. Givenupdreaming finished back in third, with Star Cover fourth in his first start out of The Diplomat Series.
The winner paid $5.50 as the bettors' 8-5 second choice.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.