Respect Our Flag out-kicked favourite The Magic Moment after a two-hole journey to win the $11,000 Horses and Geldings Preferred Pace at Flamboro Downs on Sunday, Dec. 21.
Starting from post four, Travis Cullen slid Respect Our Flag in behind The Magic Moment (Garrett Rooney) and kept him stuck to the favourite’s helmet through :27.1, :56.2, and 1:25.1 fractions. Respect Our Flag was roused from the rail by Cullen on the final turn and wore down The Magic Moment over the length of the stretch, striking the front late to prevail by a half-length in 1:54. Doc Houston (Damian MacLellan) finished third.
Respect Our Flag, a longtime campaigner for trainer Jodie Cullen, is now five-for-36 this year. Paul Sanders of Surrey, B.C., and Travis and Ron Cullen of Dundas, Ont. own the nine-year-old son of Roll With Joe-Gyrations, who has recorded 46 victories and $593,084 in earnings in 264 lifetime outings. The win price was $4.40.
Needing one win for a new career-best yearly win total, trainer Ken Oliver went four-for-four on the 10-race program. The conditioner won with three-year-old colt Lyons Franky J ($2.20), rookie entire Lyons Delightful ($2.30), sophomore gelding Lyons Dukey ($4.50), and three-year-old colt Benjamin Bee ($3.90). Scott Coulter drove all four to victory.
Oliver has notched 38 wins this year, topping his previous best tally of 34, which he took in 2000. His $270,748 in earnings this season is also a new mark. His trainees are winning at a 22.8 per cent clip in 2025.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)