Carmen Auciello trainee Major Hill lost the lead into the final turn, but battled back against 7-5 favourite Outlawgrabbingears to score a narrow victory in the $11,500 Horses & Geldings Preferred 2 Pace on Sunday (Nov. 29) at Flamboro Downs.
Driver Jonathan Drury sent Major Hill to the front from post 5 while Jay Eye Em shot from post 7 and secured the pocket. Outlawgrabbingears, starting from the pylon post, raced third to a :27.2 opening quarter and began his first-over journey past a :57.2 half. Up the backside Outlawgrabbingears blitzed Major Hill and stuck a neck in front to three-quarters in 1:25.1, a margin which he maintained even around the final turn. But through the stretch Major Hill was resurgent and slid a nose in front of Outlawgrabbingears at the finish of a 1:54 mile. Jay Eye Em finished third.
A seven-year-old gelding by Art Major, Major Hill won his seventh race from 37 starts this season and his 24th from 192 overall, earning $472,996. Percy Elkins owns the $10.20 winner.
Beachin Lindy launched from the backfield to snag a neck victory in a 1:54.3 mile in the evening’s co-feature, an $8,500 Horses & Geldings Preferred 3 Pace. The five-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding got away seventh to a :26.4 quarter set by Wind Blown, who maintained his speed while opening three lengths on pocket-sitter Paparazzi Hanover to a :54.4 half. However Wind Blown began to tire to three-quarters in 1:24.2 as driver Robert Shepherd wound Beachin Lindy to the center of the track. With a sweeping move Beachin Lindy landed a neck in front of favourite Toot Toot N, who rallied from second over but settled for second. Paparazzi Hanover finished third.
Trained by Stephen Charlton for owner Larocque Racing Stable Inc., Beachin Lindy won his first race from 22 starts this season and his 16th from 89 overall, earning $158,314. He paid $6.20 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.