Despite employing differing tactics, Twice An Angel ($13.40) and Euro Classic ($10.30) both reached the winner's enclosure in their respective $8,500 featured events on a cold Wednesday night (Nov. 13) at Flamboro Downs.
In the Preferred 3 for pacing fillies and mares, Twice An Angel made every call a winning one and scored in 1:56.2. Travis Cullen put the six-year-old Dragon Again mare on the point from post 4, and together they controlled fractions early of :28 and :58.4 while stalked by Southwind Ion (Travis Henry). After rebuffing a first-over challenge from odds-on favourite Anderson Seelster (Robert Shepherd), Twice An Angel accelerated to three-quarters in 1:27.2 and used a :29 final split to parry a late charge from Southwind Ion by a neck. Casino Classic (Scott Young) saved ground throughout after leaving for position and finished third, another 1-3/4 lengths back.
Trainer Jodie Cullen co-owns 19-time winner Twice An Angel with Jerry Hagenaars.
The Preferred 3 for trotters saw Euro Classic and driver Scott Coulter bide their time early while favourites Pinecone Pete (Colin Kelly) and Ole Jack Magic (J Harris) dispute splits of :28.1, :57.1 and 1:28. After sitting sixth in the field of seven for the first five-eighths of the one-mile race, Euro Classic vaulted four-wide into a collapsing pace on approach to the final turn. The 11-year-old Chocolatier gelding vaulted to the lead at head-stretch, and held off a late rally from Encarnacion (Shepherd) to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.1. Heineken Seelster (Brett MacDonald) saved third from the pocket.
Trainer Ann Karin Larsen shares ownership of 39-time winner Euro Classic with Tor Jan Larsen and Odd Larsen.
To view Wednesday night's results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - Flamboro Downs.