A six-pack of square gaiters faced the starting gate in Thursday’s $11,000 Preferred 2 Handicap at Flamboro Downs, and Allies Gift turned in a dominant performance in the featured affair.
Robert Shepherd rolled Allies Gift to the lead from Post 4 and they never looked back through panels of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:26.4. A final quarter clocked in :30.2 was more than enough for the four-year-old daughter of Holiday Road-Minor Skirmish to win by four lengths over Ole Jack Magic in 1:57.1. Third prize went to Big Rich.
J.F. Maguire trains the mare for owner Michel Gaboury of Venise-En-Quebec. She’s racked up a 6-for-22 record this season and purse earnings in excess of $34,000. The 13-time winner has banked close to $100,000 to date.
A pair of $7,500 Preferred 3 tilts also went postward for trotters, with Euro Classic and Bella Palazzo winning their respective assignments.
Euro Classic survived a first-over trip to win in 1:59.4 for trainer Ann Karin Larsen and driver Per Henriksen. The eight-year-old son of Chocolatier-Donven Fury trotted home in :30.2 to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Whosgoingtocatchus in 1:59.4. Seeyou Men took home the show dough.
Sent off as the even-money favourite, Euro Classic posted the win for the partnership of Ann Karin Larsen, Tor Jan Larsen and Odd Larsen. It was the 29th lifetime tally for the career winner of $196,356.
Bella Palazzo found her way to victory lane for the third time in her last four attempts thanks to her 1:58.1 triumph for trainer Mike Weller. Bob McClure made a bold, three-wide move with the five-year-old daughter of Tom Ridge-Bellissimo going to the three-quarter pole, and from there she used a :30.1 closing quarter to propel herself to the head decision over Spartan Victory in 1:58.1. Taking home third money was race favourite Dunvegan Don.
Pod Stable LLC of Seven Hills, OH owns the mare who won for the sixth time this season and for the 21st time in her career. She’s put away more than $46,000 this season. Her lifetime earnings now stand at $133,401.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Flamboro Downs.