Odds-on favourite Hes Got Swagger stayed firm on the front and strode clear to a 1:54 victory in the $8,500 Preferred 3 Pace at Flamboro Downs on Sunday (March 8).
Driver Travis Cullen hustled Hes Got Swagger to the front and parked Bugsy Maguire to the quarter in :27.3, forcing the latter to settle into the pocket. Maracasso moved first over to press Hes Got Swagger for the lead heading to a :57.2 half but began to falter nearing three-quarters in 1:25.4. Hes Got Swagger meanwhile began to separate from his competition into the final turn, opening four-and-a-half lengths on the field into the stretch while chased by Freddy Bear, who kicked off cover to claim second. Bugsy Maguire gave pursuit from third.
A five-year-old gelding by Vintage Master, Hes Got Swagger won his third race from eight starts this season and his 28th from 71 overall, earning $134,269. Rachel Andrew trains and co-owns the $3.30 winner with Travis Cullen.
Muscles Jared wired his rivals with a 1:57.4 mile in the race previous, the co-featured $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot.
Clearing command early, Muscles Jared led the field past the quarter in :28.3 with Keepall sitting in the pocket. Its Huw You Know tipped first over from third nearing a :59.3 half to mount a slight challenge to Muscles Jared heading to three-quarters in 1:29.1. But Its Huw You Know faltered into the final turn, prompting odds-on favourite Neon Lights three wide as Muscles Jared started to kick away. Through the lane the six-year-old Muscle Massive gelding widened his lead to three-and-three-quarter lengths over Keepall in second. Neon Lights settled for third.
Owned by Blue Oak Stables, Harbhajan Singh Dhillon, Darryl Kaplan and Green And Gold Ltd., Muscles Jared won his second race from six starts this season and his 15th from 68 overall, earning $411,542. Duane Marfisi trains the $10.50 winner while Colin Kelly sat in the sulky.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.