Securing the lead early, Imsporty strolled to a two-and-three-quarter length victory at odds of 11-1 in the $11,500 Preferred 2 Pace at Flamboro Downs on Sunday, Dec. 16.
The Carmen Auciello-trained five-year-old Sportswriter gelding cleared commmand from post four while rail-starter Senior Market sat the pocket to a :28 opening quarter. Toot Toot N, tracking from third, tipped first over into a :57.1 half but failed to advance as Imsporty paced to a 1:25.1 third quarter.
Already three lengths ahead at the head of the lane, Imsporty coasted to the line as Lincolnjames closed from third over to take second and Drunkonaplane, from last, rushed into third.
Returning $25.20 to win, Imsporty won his ninth race from 42 starts this season and his 19th from 110 overall, earning $251,099. Travis Henry sat in the bike behind the Percy Elkins-owned pacer.
Avatartist edged first over heading to three-quarters and dug into pacesetter Brodys Scrapper before pulling a head in front at the wire to take the $8,500 Preferred 3 Pace in 1:54.4.
Brodys Scrapper held an uncontested lead through a :27.2 quarter and :57 half. Driver Colin Kelly angled Avatartist first over from third approaching three-quarters in 1:25.3 and drew within a half length of command turning into the stretch. Race-favourite Boomboom Ballykeel, sitting the pocket, dove to the passing lane and crept towards the top two nearing the wire but settled for third a neck away.
An eight-year-old gelding by Rocknroll Hanover, Avatartist won his seventh race from 27 starts this season and his 25th in 118 overall, earning $344,743. Matthew Dupuis trains the $13.50 winner for owners Michael Saftic, James Walker and William Hill.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.