Hartel Maintenance Inc. and Lormer McClure's Power And Grace ($5.90) proved a steadfast winner in Wednesday night's (Dec. 29) $13,000 Preferred 2 Trot at Flamboro Downs, rebuffing two separate challenges on her way to a 1:58.1 win over a saturated racetrack.
With the going officially rated "sloppy," Power And Grace and driver Brett MacDonald took no prisoners, working forward from post 4 to a clear lead over The Fixer and Conquest As through a :28.2 first quarter. Once in control, MacDonald backed the tempo down with the six-year-old Holiday Road mare through a :30.4 second quarter, but the pair were forced to pick the pace back up on the second circuit as Conquest As began a first-over attack out of third.
After being nudged through a :29 third quarter, Power And Grace shrugged off her outside rival with ease — but The Fixer and Travis Cullen were poised to challenge from the pocket. The Fixer took his shot in upper stretch, but Power And Grace found the line in time, prevailing by three-quarters of a length. The Fixer finished second, two lengths ahead of the ground-saving I Da Princess (Paul MacKenzie), who improved up the pegs to save third.
Power And Grace, whom Ron MacDonald trains, ended 2021 with nine wins, $91,670 in earnings, and the distinction of being an O'Brien Award finalist as one of Canada's top distaff trotters this season. The 33-time winner is slated to commence her seven-year-old campaign on Monday (Jan. 3), when she will take on five foes in the $13,000 Preferred 2-3 Handicap Trot at Western Fair.
To view Wednesday's complete results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Flamboro Downs.