Mark MacDonell enjoyed a memorable night at Flamboro Downs on Sunday, Feb. 25 as the 23-year-old Port Hood, N.S. native celebrated his first career driving win with Dapper Fella.
MacDonell made his mark in the evening's seventh race for $8,000 claiming pacers, sending Dapper Fella on the attack from next-to-last as the field headed in front of the grandstand on the way to the half. They reeled in the front-striding favourite, Excavator (Travis Cullen), with a quarter-mile to go and drew off by 6-1/2 lengths for the 1:58.2 triumph. Excavator finished second while Go Mud (Rob Jenkins) edged out Just A Poor Boy (Ryan Desroche) in a show photo.
After closing from the backfield at long odds of 98-1 to finish third in the same claiming-conditioned class last week, Dapper Fella was sent off as the 9-5 second choice this time out and returned $5.70 to win.
MacDonell, who earned his first win after making just 18 starts since his driving debut last fall, celebrated the milestone victory with a cold shower courtesy of his fellow reinsmen as he was doused by buckets of water when he returned to the paddock after the race.
The young horseman also trains Dapper Fella and shares ownership with Blenise Young. The four-year-old Straight Shooting gelding was acquired earlier this month by MacDonell, who has recorded 15 training wins so far in his career.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)