Woodbine invader Double Olives prevailed in an exciting four-across finish in Saturday night's featured $10,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 Handicap Pace at Flamboro Downs.
Bestulldotanite, a Preferred 2 winner on Wednesday night at Western Fair, was back in-to-go on Saturday with the betting public making her the heavy 1-5 favourite. Robert Shepherd sent the popular mare to the lead from post five and carved out fractions of :28, :58.4 and 1:28.1, but she couldn't hold off the late-closers in the stretch.
Doo Wee Rusty (J Harris) went first up from third at the third quarter mark and had Double Olives rallying off her cover approaching the head of the lane for Anthony Haughan. Topanga Canyon (Alfie Carroll) then shot through the passing lane from the pocket down the stretch and Cant Stop (Bob McClure) sprinted home the fastest from the back of the pack. Those top four finishers were separated by just half a length at the wire, with Double Olives on top by a head. The Dave Matson trainee's winning time was 1:57.3.
Blizzard Series champion Double Olives earned her third win of the year in nine starts and pushed her seasonal earnings to $48,418. The four-year-old Blissfull Hall-Up N Coming mare is owned by John Taylor of Toronto and breeder Jeffery Ruch of Innisfil, Ont.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.