Flamboro Downs welcomed Mike Nabuurs, Morning Show Host on CKOC 1150, to the announcer's booth to call Sunday evening's third race as part of its Announcer Idol competition for charity.

In its second year, Announcer Idol features local media personalities as guest announcers each Sunday night through March 22. Fans will then vote for their favourite race calls and the winner will receive a donation to the charity of their choice.

Nabuurs was the third contestant of the competition and gave the play-by-play as Never Give Up Hope and driver Robert Shepherd rallied off the cover of Motor Shark and defeated pacesetter Destino.

"As we come around the first turn, #1 Destino has taken the lead," said Nabuurs as the race began and the pacers settled in a line behind the 7-5 favourite.

The action picked up during the second half of the race with Motor Shark moving quickly first up and closing in on the leader.

"Here comes Motor Shark right alongside Destino and challenging for the lead," said Nabuurs. "The #5 Never Give Up Hope hasn't given up hope and is closing in as well. He's out three-wide now."

Nebuurs continued, "The #5 horse is now just getting out in front of Destino as we're coming around the bend."

As the five-year-old son of Blissfull Hall eventually pulled ahead in deep stretch, Nebuurs called, "Never Give Up Hope is going to take this one!"

Time of the mile was 1:59.1 over the track listed as "good" with a one second variant. Destino settled for second and Christas Wings followed in third.

Never Give Up Hope was making his first start from the Patrick Shepherd stable for owner Jennifer Trainor of Vernon River, P.E.I. The 4-1 fourth choice in the wagering paid $10.50 to win.

The Shepherd stable also clicked with Mach It Big ($8.30), who was riding a five-win streak on the East Coast. The seven-year-old son of Mach Three made it six in a row on Sunday with a front-stepping 1:59.3 victory in the $7,000 Preferred 3, holding off Distant Cam, Lucky Nadotremblay and Get Around Town by less than a length. Jonathan Drury drove the career winner of 30 races for owner Mikaela Lustic of Cornwall, P.E.I.

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