While the others twisted and turned Ionia waited to strike until the passing lane opened, spurting through the pull an 11-1 upset in the $11,500 Preferred 2 Handicap Trot at Flamboro Downs on Sunday, Nov. 3.
Absolut Seelster swept from post 6 to the lead past a :27.2 opening quarter, putting Lady Caterina in the pocket. Willyorwonthe, racing third, angled first over while Ionia stayed at the pylons in fourth moving to a :58 half.
Up the backside Willyorwonthe drew alongside Absolut Seelster and took a slight lead through three-quarters in 1:26.3. Absolut Seelster regained control at the inside turning into the stretch while Ionia had clear sailing through the open stretch and sprung to the lead late. She crossed the finish in 1:57.1 and one-and-a-half lengths in front of Absolut Seelster. Willyorwonthe took third.
A five-year-old mare by Majestic Son, Ionia races for owners Joseph Shaw and Jay Kressler. She collected her 10th victory from 39 starts this season and her 28th from 128 overall, earning $172,183. Robert Shepherd steered the $24.10 winner for trainer Bill Shaw.
Sizzlen Hot Herbie also upset in one of Flamboro’s Sunday features, taking the $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot at odds of 10-1 in 1:57.2.
Race-favourite Sicario set the tempo from the pylon post. He led through fractions of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:27.3 while owner-trainer-driver Natasha Day secured the pocket for Sizzlen Hot Herbie midway through the mile. Day tipped the five-year-old Here Comes Herbie gelding from the pocket for the stretch drive and slid to a three-quarter length victory over Sicario with Themanyofmydreams snagging third.
Winning his fifth race from 16 starts this season and his 12th from 81 overall, Sizzlen Hot Herbie has earned $86,214. He paid $23.70 to win.
Beachin Lindy capped the card with a near wire-to-wire victory as the 9-5 favourite in the $9,000 Preferred 3 Pace. Driver Robert Shepherd circled the betting choice to the top after a :28.1 opening quarter set by Boomboom Ballykeel. From there the four-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding coasted through splits of :58.1 and 1:27.1 in progress to a 1:56 win by one-and-a-quarter lengths over Boomboom Ballykeel. Smooth Mara N gave chase from third.
Owned by Larocque Racing Stable Inc., Beachin Lindy won his fourth race from 31 starts this season and his 13th from 60 overall, earning $113,244. Stephen Charlton trains the $5.60 winner.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.