Dashing to the top early, Thorn In Your Side blazed around the course and sustained his speed through the wire to take the $8,500 Preferred 3 Pace at Flamboro Downs on Sunday, Dec. 30.

Driver Marc St Louis Jr. launched the eight-year-old Mach Three gelding to the front and opened three lengths on pocket-sitter Littlebitaswagger through a :26.3 first quarter. He continued to cruise unchallenged to a :54.3 half as Brodys Scrapper, from fifth, edged first over to cut into the margin.

Littlebitaswagger popped pocket approaching three-quarters in 1:23.4 and drew within a length of Thorn In Your Side moving to the final turn. Into the stretch Littlebitaswagger began to falter while Brodys Scrapper closed ground to take second but finished a length and a quarter off of Thorn In Your Side in a 1:54 mile. Par Intended, inheriting the pocket into the final turn, took third.

Owned and trained by Clifford McGuire, Thorn In Your Side won his fourth race in 25 starts this season and his 35th in 184 overall, earning $364,453. He paid $7.20 to win.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.