Marvin Hagler proved to be up for the fight in the $12,000 Preferred Trot at Flamboro Downs on Saturday night, teaming up with driver Austin Sorrie for the score.
Leaving from post four in the field of seven, Sorrie settled Marvin Hagler into third on the first turn before aggressively sending the 4-5 favourite three-deep to the outside of Sicario (Samuel Fillion) and Southwind Domino (Daryl Thiessen) at the quarter in :29. Clearing going into the second turn, Marvin Hagler had little time to catch a breather on the engine as Tuscan Prince (Paul Mackenzie) came calling first-over at the half in :58.3. The two battled for the lead on the backstretch, nose-to-nose at three-quarters in 1:27 while Southwind Domino stalked the dueling leaders from third.
The battle raged on the final turn, with Marvin Hagler cutting the corner with the advantage as Southwind Domino dove for the passing lane. In a three-across blanket finish, Marvin Hagler held tough in the stretch to reach the wire first by a head over Southwind Domino in 1:56.4. Tuscan Prince finished third, just a half-length back of the victor.
Trained by Mark MacQuarrie, who co-owns with Mary Pedden, Marvin Hagler has won 10 of 33 on the year, banking $77,177 seasonally. The five-year-old gelded son of Crazed-Showmeyourmuscles went over $200,000 in lifetime earnings following the 26th victory of his career.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.
(Standardbred Canada; Marvin Hagler pictured winning a previous race.)