Rushing to the lead at the half, Stormont Kate kicked clear of her competition, winning the $11,500 Preferred 2 Trot on Saturday, December 9 at Flamboro Downs by six-lengths in 1:56.3.
Away fourth, Stormont Kate sat off a :28.1 clip set by Happy Holidays, soon pulling first over and drawing within a neck of the lead through a half in :58.4. The six-year-old Kadabra mare opened her lead in the backstretch, trotting a 1:26.3 third-quarter four-and-a-half lengths in front of Happy Holidays.
Leading by seven into the stretch, Stormont Kate trotted through the stretch in front, while Seeyou Men came off cover to claim second and Fluff Me Up, moving first over around the final turn, held third.
Out of the Muscles Yankee mare Princess Stormont, Stormont Kate, owned by trainer-driver Bruce Richardson, won her ninth race in 32 starts this season and her 27th in 129 overall, compiling $290,513. She paid $7.70 to win.
Going as the even-money favourite, Fork won the $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot in 1:57.3.
From post four, Scott Coulter positioned Fork in the pocket while Waikiki Hanover swept to the lead, establishing a :28.2 opening quarter before yielding to the favourite into the stretch. Through a :58.3 half and three-quarters in 1:27.4, Fork withstood minor pressure from Azucar, positioned first over, and turned into the stretch a length in front of Waikiki Hanover, extending his advantage to two-and-three-quarter lengths at the line. Smoke Monkey, circling past stalled cover around the final turn, closed for third.
An eight-year-old gelding by Southfork out of the Duke Of York mare Evolution, Fork, owned by trainer Sarah Lauren Scott, won his second start in 19 tries this season and his 15th in 93 overall, earning $199,070. He paid $4.10 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.