The trip was sweet and the end result was even sweeter for Buttermilk Hanover in Thursday’s featured $10,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 Handicap at Flamboro Downs.
Robert Shepherd left for position from Post 4 with the Melissa Lamoureux trainee, and they managed to slide in the two-hole while Filly Forty Seven forged to the front and laid down fractions of :27.3, :57.4 and 1:27.1. Tilikum put first-over pressure on the leader on the way to the three-quarter pole, and that pressure took its toll on Filly Forty Seven.
Shepherd found clearance up the passing lane with the heavily-favoured Buttermilk Hanover, and her :30.2 closing panel over a track rated 'good' with a two-second allowance was enough for her to post the half-length triumph over Tables Big Secret in 1:57.4. Tilikum put up a good fight and finished third.
Buttermilk Hanover, a now seven-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover-Bet Me Hanover, is owned by 9113564 Canada Ltd of Sherwood Park, AB and Jeff Boyd of Cambridge, Ont. The partners watched the mare assemble a 7-10-4 record last season from 40 trips to the track. The 23-time winner pushed her lifetime earnings to just shy of $320,000 with the victory.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Flamboro Downs.