After crushing her opposition by 8-1/4 lengths in last week’s second-round Alliance Claiming Series division, Dorabella ($6.10) delivered another knockout blow in Wednesday evening’s (Dec. 27) $13,800 final at Flamboro Downs, circling three-wide in the final quarter mile en route to a going-away 1:58.4 score amid frigid conditions.
The four-year-old daughter of Daylon Boy made a mid-race move in similar fashion as she did in last week’s drubbing, but was caught a bit farther off the pace this week from her second-row start. With even-money favourite Argyle Alberwhosur (Bob McCure) hassled by Open Skies through a :27.4 first quarter and Island Blue (Brett MacDonald) angling off the pegs from fourth to make a move on the pacesetters nearing the halfway stage, Jason Ryan slid Dorabella third-over with nine-sixteenths to go to slipstream Island Blue’s push forward to the clubhouse turn.
Argyle Alberwhosur, who was a gate-to-wire winner in both of her preliminary events, could stomach no more pressure after dismissing Open Skies and being headed up the far side by Island Blue nearing three-quarters in 1:28.4. As Island Blue worked to put away the favoured pacesetter, Dorabella swept three-wide and paced away with ease. Ultimately, she prevailed by 6-1/2 lengths over Island Blue, while Gossip Model (J Harris) rallied from astern to take third. Argyle Alberwhosur faded to seventh, some 15-1/4 lengths away at the winning post.
Isaac Waxman trains Dorabella, a three-time winner in four starts for owner Brenda Selwyn Waxman and a winner of eight events throughout her racing career to date.
In the sub-featured $8,500 Preferred 3 for trotters, Bella Palazzo recorded a powerful pillar-to-post score on the return to the level, pushing clear up the far side to leave pocket rival Waikiki Hanover and six others behind before being geared down by Bob McClure late in a 1:59.1 mile. The six-year-old Tom Ridge mare held the first-over Ole Jack Magic (Scott Young) 2-3/4 lengths at bay, while Charmbo Chrome (Paul MacKenzie) stayed on with cover to take third spot. Mike Weller trains the 31-time winner for the Pod Stable, LLC.
To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Flamboro Downs.