After a pillar-to-post score last week, Smooth Lou ($6.30) had no trouble changing tactics to capture Wednesday's (Dec. 8) $13,000 Preferred 2 Pace at Flamboro Downs, stalking a blistering pace before lifting to the lead in deep stretch.
Sensing a fast and contested pace, trainer-driver Patrick Shepherd ducked Smooth Lou off the front flight, settling the five-year-old Sweet Lou gelding in fourth while 8-5 favourite Sportsline (Colin Kelly) strode clear of Hes Got Swagger (Travis Cullen) to control splits of :26.3 and :54.4. Upon reaching the backstretch on the second occasion, Sportsline contended with sustained pressure from Chiefs Beach (Brett MacDonald) to three-quarters in 1:23.1, only to be engulfed off the home turn by a three-wide Ideal Perception (Anthony Haughan). Just upon straightening for home, Shepherd found a lane out of midfield traffic to hook Smooth Lou three-wide, and he cascaded to the lead once free, defeating Ideal Perception by a widening 1-1/4 lengths in 1:52.4 over good going. Hes Got Swagger saved third.
Triple S Equine, Robert Woodburn and Ronald Woodburn share ownership of Smooth Lou, whose 11-win record this season also includes the $60,000 Gold Cup and Saucer at Red Shores Charlottetown.
To view Wednesday's complete results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Flamboro Downs.