Driver Anthony MacDonald seized the lead with My Jazz and never looked back, wiring his competition to win the $18,000 Pop-Up Series Final at Flamboro Downs on Sunday (Feb. 27).
MacDonald motored the four-year-old My MVP mare off the car from post four to lead Dirt and odds-on favourite Swans Honey to the quarter in :29.1 and received nothing but respect on the front. Uncontested to a :59.4 half and to three-quarters in 1:29.2, My Jazz slid for the finish to beat Dirt by two lengths at the line in 1:59.2. Swans Honey finished third but was placed fourth behind Playfull Elegance for interference at the start.
Owned by Thestable My Jazz Group, My Jazz won her fifth race from seven starts this season and her 11th from 31 overall, pushing her earnings to $169,746. Jason McGinnis trains the $5.20 winner.
Later in the card, Mackjustice applied similar tactics to take the $8,000 Pop-Up Series consolation in 2:00.2. The six-year-old Justice Hall gelding protected position from the pylon post while Jooner launched from post eight to secure the pocket to a :29.3 first quarter. Alexus Eh angled first over out of fourth to apply slight pressure to the pacesetter through a 1:00.1 half and to three-quarters in 1:29.1, but Mackjustice held firm on the front through the stretch to win by 1-1/2 lengths. Jooner finished second, Alexus Eh took third and Youcouldbethatgirl finished fourth.
Co-owned by trainer Stewart McQueen with Robert Watson and James Grant, Mackjustice won his fifth race from 67 starts, lifting his earnings to $56,482. Tyler Moore drove the $6.90 winner.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Flamboro Downs.