After spending the last number of months racing over Yonkers Raceway’s half-mile oval, Watkins made his back to his native land and captured Thursday’s $6,500 Preferred 3 for trotters at Flamboro Downs.
A graduate of the OSS program, Watkins got away fourth for driver Trevor Henry before grabbing second-over cover on the way to the mid-way point. Watkins stepped three wide as the field entered the backstretch for the final time, and he showed a short lead while racing parked at the three-quarter pole in 1:30.3. The Richard Moreau pupil then used a :30-second closing panel to win by 2-1/4 lengths over Kashs Caviar in 2:00.3. Heres The Magic finished third.
Sent off as the 2-5 favourite in the nine-horse affair, Watkins won for the seventh time this season and for the 29th time in his career. The six-year-old son of Striking Sahbra-Sarong Hall pushed his lifetime earnings to $472,898 with the win. He is owned by Matthew McManus of Burlington, Ontario.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Flamboro Downs.