Pylon-starter Cyclone Joe faced little pressure clearing the front and led every step in progress to a 1:54 score in the $10,000 Horses & Geldings Preferred 3 Pace on Sunday (March 21) at Flamboro Downs.
Floating to the lead as the field aligned in near-post-position order to a :28 opening quarter, Cyclone Joe continued uncontested to a :57.3 half. Shades Of Bay pounced from third off the pylons to challenge Cyclone Joe as Night Watchman loomed wide to catch the cover nearing three-quarters in 1:25.3. But Cyclone Joe kept the outside challengers at bay, and through the stretch held a one-and-a-half length advantage while Night Watchman snagged second from Shades Of Bay.
A homebred for Sylvain Lacaille, Cyclone Joe won his sixth race from 97 starts, earning $72,569. Kelly Duval Lacaille conditions the $9.80 winner.
Driver Travis Cullen had himself a night by winning five of the 11 races on the card, four of which came with trainees from the Jodie Cullen barn. Cullen began the night with a win by Bankroll ($2.80) and late in the card completed a near perfect hat trick with Paparazzi Hanover ($7.30) and a sweep of the late double by Big Mach N ($11.90) and Gold Star Diablo ($3.60). The only winner for Travis Cullen not trained by Jodie was Perfect Rolo ($11.40), who instead races for Kelly Duval Lacaille.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.