Stablemates Noble Legend and Fox Valley Veto swept the top two spots in the featured $11,000 Preferred 2 Trot for trainer Maria Rice on Sunday night (March 11) at Flamboro Downs.
Jody Jamieson catch-drove the winning six-year-old Kadabra gelding Noble Legend while Billy Davis Jr. was aboard Fox Valley Veto. Both trotters are owned by the New York-based Vogel And Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice.
Leaving out from post six, Wildwild Men worked his way to the lead during a :28.1 opening quarter as 6-5 favourite Its Huw You Know broke stride while being overtaken. Fox Valley Veto filled the pocket position from that point with Noble Legend launching his attack from third as they approached the half-mile mark in :59. The battle for the lead continued into the backstretch with Wildwild Men eventually throwing in the towel. Noble Legend took command before the 1:27.4 third quarter mark and cruised to victory in 1:57.2 with Fox Valley Veto following over two lengths behind. Third prize went to the wide-rallying Majestic Marvel.
Noble Legend, who just missed Muscle Matters by a neck in last week's Preferred 2, paid $8.50 to win as the 3-1 second wagering choice. Meanwhile, Fox Valley Veto is riding a four-race streak of runner-up efforts, including two February starts at Flamboro finishing behind Dragin The Wagon and his latest in the Open at Buffalo Raceway behind Kadabra mare Lenny Mac a week ago.
While Ed and Ashleigh Hensley's Its Huw You Know made a miscue in the evening's top trot, their pacer Toot Toot N ($4) did not disappoint in an $8,500 Preferred 3. After racing three-wide down the backstretch, the even-money favourite pulled ahead and held off an even wider Arrived Late by a neck in 1:56.4 with Sin City Shark closing through the passing lane to finish less than a length back in third.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.