MacDonald Subs In For 'Idol' Contest

There was a twist to this week's edition of Announcer Idol at Flamboro Downs as driver Anthony MacDonald filled in as a last minute replacement due to a late scratch sick.

MacDonald subbed in for CHCH TV's Jason Portuondo, who was the next scheduled local broadcast media personality to participate in the contest for charity.

With Scott Coulter in the bike, Theabilityofreason battled with pacesetter Rammy Girl, driven by MacDonald's brother James, for the final half-mile in the third race.

"They're going to square off into the stretch...Down to the wire, two of them, heads apart," announced MacDonald, eventually making the close call at the wire. "On the outside it looks like it may have been Theabilityofreason!"

Theabilityofreason prevailed by a neck over Rammy Girl in 2:00.2 over the 'good' track for Dutton, Ont. owner/trainer Gerald Lilley, who earned back-to-back wins on the card.

MacDonald has previous practice calling a race as a participant in Grand River Raceway's From Bike To Mic contest for drivers and trainers.

Announcer Idol continues through March 23 with a different, local broadcast media personality taking the mic for one race every Sunday night. At the end of March, fans and patrons will vote for their favourite race call on the Flamboro Downs website and the winning announcer will receive a donation to the local charity of their choice, compliments of Flamboro Downs and Great Canadian Gaming.

Ted Yates, from the Morning Show on Oldies 1150 CKOC, is the next scheduled guest announcer and will take the mic for race three on Sunday, Feb. 16.

One race prior to the Announcer Idol contest, Nothingbutmach went wire-to-wire in 1:57.3 to win the featured $11,000 Preferred 2 Pace. Driven by Phil Hudon, the eight-year-old Mach Three gelding won by a length and a half over Web Cam, with Hidden Potential finsihing third. Nothingbutmach is trained by Corey Johnson and owned by Debbie Element of Waterdown, Ont.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.