Despite Mach Code's attempt to upset the applecart late in the mile, Half A Billion and driver Robert Shepherd prevailed in the $7,500 Preferred 3 Pace at Flamboro Downs on Sunday night (March 20).
Odds-on favourite Topcornerterror (Alfie Carroll) assumed command over Mach Code (James MacDonald) off the gate, with insider Half A Billion lining up in third through a :28.3 first quarter. As Topcornerterror cruised to the half in :58.3, Shepherd sent Half A Billion first over with Lyons Levis Lewis (Anthony Haughan) following his cover. Half A Billion marched up on even terms with the front-striding favourite down the backstretch and worked to clear by the 1:27.2 third quarter station. He opened up two and a half lengths on top while the backfield fanned wide, but it was 6-1 shot Mach Code that posed the biggest threat in the stretch, surging late inside to make it a close finish. Half A Billion ultimately held on by a neck for the 1:56.2 win over Mach Code while Lyons Levi Lewis finished two and three-quarter lengths behind in third.
Half A Billion paid $6.20 to win as the slight 2-1 second choice.
The four-year-old Sportswriter gelding notched his third win this year in 10 starts and pushed his annual income to $27,810. Lifetime, he sports a summary line reading 8-6-6 in 41 starts with earnings of $91,165 and a mark of 1:52.3, taken in the Ontario Boys Pacing Series at Woodbine Racetrack last month.
Half A Billion is trained by Corey Giles for the Quebec ownership group of Michel Letarte, Francois Letarte, Jean Allaire, and Germain Chabot.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.