Trotting mare Can I Say dominated her rivals in the $11,000 Preferred 2 & 3 Handicap featured at Flamboro Downs on Saturday night (Jan. 23).
Leaving from mid-field, 4-5 favourite Can I Say and driver Mike Whelan worked to the lead around the first turn over Winkys Pride, the only other mare in the field of nine, and insider Tornado Tim. She carved out fractions of :27.4, :58.1 and 1:27.3 with a solid lead and won by a final margin of four and half lengths in 1:57.4. Winkys Pride and Tornado Tim followed in second and third, respectively, finishing just ahead of first over pursuer Dragin The Wagon.
Trainer Jim Whelan and Terry and Clarence Devos share ownership of the homebred Fourth And One mare, who has won 27 races and $383,325 lifetime. Last year, Can I Say banked over $100,000 and won eight of her 28 starts, including races stateside at Saratoga, Yonkers and Pocono. Back on Canadian soil to start her seven-year-old campaign, Saturday's Preferred victory was her first win in three 2016 starts.
The class-dropping Topcornerterror ($6.40) won the evening's $7,500 Preferred 3 Pace with Alfie Carroll driving for trainer Richard Moreau and owner Glenview Livestock Ltd. of Wallenstein, Ont. The 10-year-old Western Terror gelding advanced from third to first down the backstretch, overtaking rivals half his age, Reasonable Force and 8-5 wagering choice Warrawee Phoenix, en route to the two and a half length victory in 1:54.4.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.