Driver Robert Shepherd unleashed odds-on favourite Encarnacion from the centre of the track into the final turn and darted clear of his rivals to win the $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot at Flamboro Downs on Sunday (March 1).
The four-year-old Archangel gelding raced sixth through fractions of :28.3 and :59 set as Pound Sterling parked first-over challenger Cheatalotpov. Shepherd angled Encarnacion to race third over moving onto the second circuit but—facing stalled cover as the leaders tired—fanned four wide heading to three-quarters in 1:29.4 and rushed towards the lead moving into the stretch. The Isabelle Darveau trainee owned three lengths on Pound Sterling into the stretch and widened his lead in progress to a 1:59.2 victory. Its Huw You Know rallied off a pocket trip to finish second, five-and-three-quarter lengths behind, with Pound Sterling faltering to third.
Owned by 1187422 Ontario Inc., Encarnacion won his ninth race from 39 starts, earning $103,308. He paid $3.20 to win.
In the co-featured $8,500 Preferred 3 Pace, Easy Flyer ventured first over to a 1:54 victory.
Pylon-starter Red John led the field through opening splits of :27.3 and :57.1. Hes Got Swagger, racing fourth, tipped first over passing the stands first time and brushed to the top past the half-mile mark. Easy Flyer soon tracked that move, ranging uncovered to within a length of the new leader passing three-quarters in 1:25.4 before edging to a half-length lead into the stretch. Through the lane the five-year-old Pang Shui gelding extended his advantage to one-and-a-quarter lengths over Hes Got Swagger with Cinnabar Dragon finishing five lengths farther behind in third.
Owned by Wheelhouse Racing Stable, Easy Flyer won his sixth race from eight starts this season and his 19th from 73 overall, earning $97,762. Travis Henry drove the $7.40 winner for trainer Carmen Auciello.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.