Off an easy front-stepping win last week, Jodie Cullen trainee Dontpokethedragon tried off the pace tactics to success and scored a 1:53.4 repeat win in the $13,000 Preferred Handicap Pace on Wednesday night (Nov. 30) at Flamboro Downs.
Ideal Perception led to a :27.1 first quarter with 8-5 favourite Twin B Powerball in the pocket. Dontpokethedragon raced fifth and soon caught cover to a :56.1 half from Bayfield Beach and launched three high when that covered stalled to three-quarters in 1:24.2. Around the final turn, Dontpokethedragon swept to the lead and strode home a 2-3/4-length winner. Smooth Lou and Sea Laird closed to dead heat for second while Ideal Perception settled for fourth.
Driver Travis Cullen co-owns Dontpokethedragon, a five-year-old Custard The Dragon gelding, with J J J Stables and Paul Sanders. The gelding won his 25th race from 84 starts, has now banked $234,700 and paid $5.60 to win.
The ninth race at Flamboro was declared a no contest following an incident around the second turn. A pair of horses, Cutting Class and Woodmere Alvin, gapped the field as they sauntered to the half and hooked wheels to bring driver Travis Henry down onto the track. Henry remained down as the horses progressed up the backside and the judges activated a siren from a safety concern with the loose horse trailing the field, prompting drivers to pull up and not finish the race. Travis Henry did walk off the track following the incident and his drive, Cutting Class, was eventually caught after a couple of laps around the track.
According to the AGCO Judges report, EMS cleared Henry to drive in the 10th race, where he finished fifth behind Gabby Sasso trainee Hashtag Watch Me. Race 9, as a no contest, refunded all wagers, which totalled $21,545.
To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Flamboro Downs.