The CKG Billings Harness Driving Series, the amateur driving organization that blazed the way for the many that followed, moved north of the border to Canada for a pacing event at Flamboro Downs on Sunday evening (Sept. 30).
In the event which included four Canadians and five Americans, the former came out on top when Dave Drew made every pole a winning one en route to a solid four and a half-length triumph with Simon Said in 1:57.
Sent off as the 2-1 favourite from the two-hole, Drew sent the son of American Ideal to the lead when the wings of the mobile gate folded, but they were confronted by a determined Sly Baron and driver Bob Davis. The challenge lead to a speed duel on the front-end as the two passed the first stanza in :28.2. The order remained the same as they passed the half in :57.3, but after that Sly Baron was nowhere in sight and he faded considerably.
As Simon Said showed the way to the three quarters, a new challenge came from Curious Phoenix (driven by Fred Bourgault), but that didn't last long as he, like Sly Baron, faded.
That course of events allowed 35-1 shot Tyrelius Deo and driver Marielle Enberg to rally to second place, still four lengths behind Simon Said, but strong enough to gain second money when it was all over. Steve Oldford garnered the show dough with Terror Suspect, who went off at odds of 20-1.
Simon Said paid $6,20 to win. He is owned by Michael Arnold and Michael Dowling and trained by Dowling.
(Billings Series)