Sophomore pacer Newbie and six-year-old trotter Money Maven were victorious in Flamboro Downs co-featured $11,000 Preferred 2 events on Sunday night.
The Preferred 2 trotters battled three-across for most of the mile with Money Maven persevering for trainer/driver Daniel O'Brian.
Money Maven edged ahead of Were Rolling at the start with 9-5 favourite Cimeronken out three-wide for a first quarter duel. Money Maven came through and cleared Were Rolling at the :28 quarter mark with Cimeronken left parked and pressing to the half in :58.3. Down the backstretch, O U Sexy Guy tipped off the cover of the persistent Cimeronken while Money Maven maintained the lead through three-quarters in 1:29.1. O U Sexy Guy chased Money Maven into the stretch with Order By Commander coming on outside and producing a three-across finish. Money Maven ultimately held on for the narrow score in the two-minute mile. Order By Commander finished just a neck back, with O U Sexy Guy a quarter-length behind.
Sent postward as the 5-1 fifth choice on the toteboard after making a break in stride in the same class last week, Money Maven returned $12.70 to his backers at the betting windows. The six-year-old Revenue S gelding has won six of his 37 races this year while banking $62,905 for owner Everette Hanson of Maugerville, N.B.
The youngest of the bunch in the Preferred 2 pacing division, the Ian Hyatt-trained three-year-old Newbie prevailed off a second over trip in rein to driver Nick Steward.
Mister X took the lead around the first turn over Beach Hero and even-money favourite Newbie, with 8-5 Mach Pride driving on to challenge the front-runner past the :26.4 first quarter mark. Newbie moved second over behind Mach Pride as the field raced in front of the grandstand approaching the :55.1 half-mile mark and was then flushed three-deep down the backside. Newbie charged up to overtake Mister X at the 1:24.2 third quarter station and prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.2 over the quick-closing Sir Machalot, with the persistent Mach Pride, battling inside, third.
Stepping up off a victory at the Preferred 3 level last week in London, Newbie paid $4 to win as the bettor's choice. He has now won nine times in 34 races this year for an annual income amounting to $61,485. The Always A Virgin gelding is campaigned by Larry Ainsworth of Petrolia, Ont. and William Boden of Vancouver, B.C.
In the $7,500 claiming ranks, Hellapoppin ($2.40) made it five wins in a row with a 1:56.3 front-stepping score for Flamboro's leading trainer Patrick Shepherd. J.R. Plante drove the nine-year-old Sand Olls Dexter gelding, who is owned by Stephen Morton of Windsor, N.S.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.