The Sunday, Feb. 23 evening card at Flamboro Downs had a pair of $9,500 co-features in the late double, where Doug Hie trainees Topville Checkmein and Darrell each found their way to victory.
The 7-5 favourite Topville Checkmein and Jason Ryan made the most of a perfect pocket trip to score the victory in the first of the two co-features. Le Bec Fin (Todd Ratchford) used inside advantage to grab the early lead, setting fractions of :28.2, :59.1 and 1:28 while facing first-over pressure from Northern Halo (Austin Sorrie). In the stretch, Le Bec Fin battled on gamely, but it was a three-horse duel to the wire. Topville Checkmein used the passing lane to surge ahead late, winning in 1:57 by a head. She edged out Le Bec Fin, who finished a close second, while Northern Halo settled for third.
Topville Checkmein, a four-year-old Check Six-Topville Cadillac mare, is owned by Bryn Campbell of Port Hope, Ont. The pacing mare secured her third lifetime victory and now boasts career earnings of $22,759. The winning ticket returned $4.90.
In the final dash of Sunday evening, 9-5 second choice Darrell and driver Austin Sorrie took early control and didn't give it up. After setting fractions of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:26.3, Darrell remained determined in the stretch and powered home to win by half a length in 1:55.2. Adriatico Hanover (Jason Ryan) closed well for second, while 6-5 favourite No Fool Mackinley (J.R. Plante) finished third.
A four-year-old gelded son of Pang Shui out of Kates Ticket, Darrell is owned by Donald MacNeill of Fraserville, Ont. This victory marks his eighth career win, bringing his lifetime earnings to $26,970. The pacer paid $5.60 to win.
For Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)