Lexis D J went wire-to-wire to end Spartan Victory's reign in the $11,000 Preferred 2 trotting class at Flamboro Downs on Sunday, Dec 6.
A Preferred winner on Oct. 25, Lexis D J earned top-three finishes behind Spartan Victory when facing that rival in his next three starts. But on Sunday, the Shane Arsenault trainee scored in front-running fashion, backed by the bettors as the 1-2 favourite.
Leaving from post four, Lexis D J ($3.10) forced outsider Spartan Victory to the two-hole through a :27.3 opening quarter and then cruised through middle fractions of :58 and 1:27 en route to a 1:56.4 victory. Spartan Victory tracked the winner throughout, but Lexis D J pulled away by four lengths down the stretch. Dragin The Wagon finished third.
Lexis D J notched the 10th win of his eight-year-old campaign while his seasonal earnings climbed to $71,850. Bob McClure was in the sulky aboard the Amigo Hall gelding for his third winning drive of the night.
Favourite Neils Golden Girl ($4.70) won the $7,500 Preferred 3 after taking the lead down the backstretch and drawing away from the field by five lengths into the stretch. The five-year-old daughter of Majestic Son trotted home to stop the clock in 1:58.3 with trainer/driver Travis Henry in the sulky for owners Lois Allison of Hamilton, Ont. and Wayne Allison of Lynden, Ont.
Meanwhile, Hellsapoppin ($3.30) extended his win streak in the $7,500 claiming class to seven in a row. Driven by J.R. Plante, the popular Patrick Shepherd trainee defeated Vijayscam in his second attempt moving out of the pocket, wearing down the pacesetter to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.4 for owner Stephen Morton of Windsor, N.S.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.