Sitting a pocket trip, P L Jackson powered up the open stretch to snag a narrow victory in the $11,500 Horses & Geldings Preferred 2 Handicap Pace on Sunday (Dec. 6) at Flamboro Downs.
Jay Eye Em cleared command from P L Jackson past a :27.3 opening quarter and promptly slowed the pace moving to a :57.2 half. As the tempo softened, Moonwriter moved first over from fifth and charged towards the leader before stalling to a quickened three-quarters, timed in 1:25.1. Moonwriter remained at Jay Eye Em’s side around the final turn and through the stretch as Outlawgrabbingears rallied from second over. The three battled to the finish, but could not outkick P L Jackson’s pocket pounce as the 7-5 second choice hit the finish of a 1:54 mile three-quarter lengths better of the three-pronged photo for second. Jay Eye Em held the second spot, while Moonwriter took third and Outlawgrabbingears took fourth.
A seven-year-old stallion by Mach Three, P L Jackson won his third race from 31 starts this season and his 22nd from 138 overall, earning $329,383. Jodie Cullen owns and trains the $4.80 winner while Ed Hensley sat in the sulky.
Hes Got Swagger delivered as the odds-on choice in the co-featured $8,500 Horses & Geldings Preferred 3 Pace. The five-year-old Vintage Master gelding grabbed control to a :27.3 opening quarter and kept first-over challenger Vague Traces parked through a :56.3 half and to three-quarters in 1:24.3. Once Vague Traces gave way, About A Boy posed the lone threat to Hes Got Swagger through the stretch, with the pacesetter holding command to the finish of a 1:53.3 mile by a half length. G A Speed Sammy, off a pylon trip, finished third.
Co-owned by trainer Rachel Andrew with Travis Cullen, Hes Got Swagger won his eighth race from 28 starts this season and his 33rd from 91 overall, earning $164,799. Travis Henry drove the $3.90 winner.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.