Sophomore trotting gelding In The Black, on the back of repeat victories at the conditioned level, stepped up to take on Flamboro Downs’ top diamondgaiters in the $14,500 Preferred Trot on Saturday, Oct. 31 and posted an impressive victory.
The 8-1 fourth choice entered the first turn in third from the rail for J Harris, having been passed by Zip Me Up (Paul MacKenzie) and No Angel Like Me (Scott Coulter), the latter the leader to the quarter in :28. In The Black was flushed out past a :58 half, revving up first-over into the third turn to take on No Angel Like Me down the backstretch. No Angel Like Me initially repelled the challenge nearing three-quarters in 1:27, but In The Black overhauled the pacesetter on the final turn and rolled away to victory in 1:57. Zip Me Up slid up the cones for second over No Angel Like Me, 1-1/4 lengths behind the winner.
In The Black’s three successive scores come after a zero-for-10 start to the campaign as the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold leg winner of last year rounds into form. The son of Green Manalishi S-Only Take Cash is five-for-18 lifetime with $126,185 in earnings for trainer Jeff Williams and owners Mardon Stables of Loretto, Ont., Tyrone Valley Farm of Bowmanville, Ont. and Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc. of Hudson, Que. The win price was $18.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.
(Standardbred Canada; photo of In The Black winning on July 12, 2025)