Smooth Lou ($14.10) made every call a winning one and evaded odds-on favourite Sportsline by 2-1/4 lengths in Wednesday's (Dec. 1) featured $13,000 Preferred 2 Pace at Flamboro Downs.
With trainer Patrick Shepherd at the controls, Smooth Lou stepped out from his inside post to force Jknr Liketell into the pocket through a sharp :27.3 first quarter before continuing on uncontested through a :56.2 half. As Jknr Liketell gapped the pocket early in the second circuit, Ideal Perception (Anthony Haughan) mounted a first-over bid out of midfield, pressing to within a half length of the lead through a :28.1 third sectional while also towing Sportsline (Colin Kelly) into contention.
Heading to the far turn, Kelly ducked Sportsline into the vacated pocket while Smooth Lou turned aside Ideal Perception's sustained challenge. Sportsline was urged to give chase off the home turn, but Smooth Lou maintained his advantage to the end of a 1:53.3 mile. Runner-up Sportsline was 4-1/2 lengths better than the fading Ideal Perception, who finished third.
Smooth Lou won for the 19th time in his career, and four the fourth time under Shepherd's care for the partnership of Triple S Equine along with Robert and Ronald Woodburn.
To view Wednesday's complete results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Flamboro Downs.