A front-stepping Phoenix led nearly wire-to-wire to pull off a mild 5-1 upset in the $12,000 Preferred Trot which served as the Saturday (Dec. 21) night feature on the nine-race card at Flamboro Downs.

Leaving from post two in the field of five with driver Jean Bernard Renaud in tow, Phoenix made his intentions on making the front quite clear off the gate. Southwind Domino (Daryl Thiessen) left off the wings with Phoenix, parked on the first turn before opting to take a tuck in the pocket while Phoenix set the tone with a :28.1 first quarter. Phoenix led to the half in :58 before Tuscan Prince (Paul Mackenzie) charged first-over to take a short lead on the outside at three-quarters in 1:26.1.

Battling back on the final turn, Phoenix utilized his inside advantage retake the lead from Tuscan Prince at the top of the lane. The two continued to slug it out in the lane, with Phoenix reaching the wire first narrowly over Tuscan Prince in 1:56.3. Southwind Domino finished third, just three-quarters of a length behind the winner.

One of two winners on the card for trainer Julie Walker, Phoenix has won eight of 42 on the year, banking $111,325 in 2024. The seven-year-old gelded son of Deweycheatumnhowe-Guineveres Star is owned by Sebastien Leblanc and has earned just shy of $300,000 for his career.

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

(Standardbred Canada)