Willyorwonthe wired his four rivals and held off a first-over challenge from 20-1 shot Vesuvio Bi to take the $11,500 Preferred 2 Handicap Trot at Flamboro Downs on Saturday, Dec. 15.
Leaving from post three, Willyorwonthe took a two-length lead heading to a :28.3 opening quarter with Bastiano sitting second and favourite Absolut Seelster third. Vesuvio Bi, trailing the field, tipped first over as Willyorwonthe trotted to the half in :59.1.
The William Megans owned-and-trained Angus Hall gelding maintained control through the backstretch as Vesuvio Bi ranged to within a neck of the lead past a 1:29 third quarter. Getting a neck up on the pacesetter turning for home, Vesuvio Bi could not hold onto command and Willyorwonthe rallied to a half-length victory in 1:59.1. Absolut Seelster finished three lengths back in third.
Winning his eighth race from 37 starts this season and his 21st from 109 overall, Willyorwonthe has earned $213,890. Alfie Carroll drove the five-year-old who paid $5.50 to win.
Sodwana Bay swept first over to a length victory in the $10,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred 2 Pace co-feature.
Away fourth, the Victor Puddy-trained five year old stalked a :29 opening quarter set by Bourbon Seelster before driver Nick Steward edged first over. By the half in :58.4, Sodwana Bay drew closer to the leader into the backstretch and eventually took a half-length lead through a 1:27.4 third quarter. Bourbon Seelster continued to chase through the stretch as Sodwana Bay slightly extended her lead to the line. The Joy Luck Club, kicking from third over, took third.
A daughter of No Pan Intended, Sodwana Bay won her 16th race from 41 starts this season and her 22nd in 79 overall, earning $159,662. Wayne Mac Rae and Howmac Farms Ltd. owns the $7.00 winner.
In the $8,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred 3 Pace, Village Jamie went gate to wire to post a four-and-three-quarter length score in 2:00. The four-year-old Mach Three mare led to the quarter in :29.2 and, despite first-over pressure from Mollie Z Tam through a 1:01 half and 1:30 third quarter, put away her competition in the lane. Regal Luck, the favourite, closed from second over for place while pocket-sitter Uptown Woman finished third.
Owned by Liam Wallace, Village Jamie won her fifth race in 40 starts this year and her seventh from 66 overall, earning $113,482. Paul MacKenzie drove the $12.60 winner for trainer Todd Clements.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.