Northern Escort just held on for a narrow victory in the $7,500 Preferred 3 Trot to close out Saturday night's harness racing card at Flamboro Downs.
Driver J.R. Plante and the 1-2 favourite regained the lead when Jetcrest broke stride during the opening quarter and only came under serious pressure turning for home as Torches Angel rushed up from fourth. However, Northern Escort dug in and was able to reach the wire just in time to prevail by a neck in 1:58.3 over the "good" track. Massive Muscles rounded out the top three finishers following nearly three lengths behind.
The son of Kadabra now has two wins in six starts during his six-year-old campaign. Stephane Larocque trains the trotter for Les Ecuries Jyj Inc. of St-Andre-D'Argenteuil, Que.
The former Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots champion is a lifetime winner of 12 races in 31 starts and is just a few thousand dollars shy of the $200,000 earnings mark.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.