A pair of $9,500 conditioned pace classes headlined the Wednesday, Oct. 23 evening card at Flamboro Downs with Bet The BB and Lakers Bank posting matching 1:54.2 win times in their respective races.
In the $9,500 conditioned pace in race six, six pacers lined up behind the gate with Bet The BB and Travis Cullen settling in the rail position. Larry Karr (Austin Sorrie) sprinted from post five to take over as the pacesetter with quarters in :27.1, :56.1 and 1:24.3. Bet The BB got away fourth through the first quarter, was the first to move to the outside at the half and then continued forward before achieving the upper hand. The Jodie Cullen student waved goodbye in the stretch as he sailed to a 3-1/2-length score in 1:54.2. It Takes Two (Lorne House) finished second over Larry Karr.
Bet The BB (All Bets Off-Sayitall BB) is a three-year-old gelding bred and owned by Travis Cullen. He won his fifth race of the year in 27 starts, moving his bankroll to $51,925. In his 37-start career, Bet The BB shows a record of 11-3-6 with $86,940 accumulated in purses. He paid $3.80 to win as the bettors' choice.
In race nine's $9,500 conditioned pace, Lakers Bank and Jason Ryan teamed up from post two. The Tim Myers student landed in third as the field levelled out and clocked the opening panel in :27, led by Wilcat Rocky (J Harris). Ryan tipped Lakers Bank first-over through the half in :56.4 and continued overland through the three-quarters in 1:25. Using a :29.2 final quarter, Lakers Bank did the best work to overpower the field and win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:54.2. Four of the remaining five horses crossed the wire in sync with matching 1:54.4 times, but it was Drinkin Buddy (Daryl Thiessen) who pulled ahead in time to take second over the pacesetting Wilcat Rocky.
Lakers Bank is a three-year-old gelded son of All Bets Off-Victorias Vett owned by Val Spar Stables. Unraced as a freshman, the gelding has not missed a cheque in his young career with a record of 6-3-2 in 17 starts. Lakers Bank now has $68,270 banked. He paid $11.80 as the 5-1 third choice.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - Flamboro Downs.
(Standardbred Canada; Photo of Lakers Bank from a previous win at Grand River Raceway)