Eye Of An Eagle unleashed a rapid backstretch rush to swoop to an impressive victory in the headliner $11,000 optional-claiming event at Flamboro Downs on Thursday, Feb. 26.

He settled in fifth, one spot from the back, while Lilys Lass (Brett MacDonald) went forward from post two and set the early fractions of :28 and :57.3. Eye Of An Eagle followed Crown Monarch (Justin Turcotte) to the outside nearing the midway point, but the cover became an obstacle as they rounded onto the backstretch, and Ed Hensley sent the second-over horse three-wide.

Eye Of An Eagle unfurled his wings and flew through three-quarters in 1:27.2, blowing past Lilys Lass and the first-over Hungry Hill (Daryl Thiessen) at the entry to the final turn, and he cruised to a two-length victory in 1:56.1. Hungry Hill finished second, with Stonebridge Zeus (Samuel Fillion) closing for third.

Eye Of An Eagle won for the third time in seven seasonal starts for Team Hensley, driver Ed and trainer Ashleigh, who own and bred the son of Archangel-Escuela. The five-year-old scored at the same level on Feb. 5 and returned to Flamboro after seventh and fifth-place finishes at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the interim. He is now 13-for-61 lifetime and has banked $88,405. The win return was $4.40.

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

(Standardbred Canada)