Muscle Matters turned in the nation’s fastest trotting mile of the season on a half-mile oval thanks to his 1:55.4 score in Thursday’s $11,000 Preferred 2 at Flamboro Downs.
With Bob McClure barking out orders from the racebike, Muscle Matters shot to the top from Post 2 and never looked back after speeding through fractions of :27.4, :57.1 and 1:26.3. A :29.1 closing frame earned him the win by three lengths over Muscle Ave. Third prize went to Willyorwonthe.
Trainer Ben Baillargeon co-owns the six-year-old son of Muscle Mass-Sister Mary Lindy with Nunzio Vena, Santo Vena and Richard Thompson. The gelding, who is 2-for-11 this season, won for the 13th time in his career while pushing his lifetime cash stash to $510,962.
I Want Kandy took home bragging rights in the $7,500 Preferred 3 for trotters thanks to her 1:57.1 triumph for the tandem of driver Nick Steward and trainer Anthony Montini.
Steward got away second before popping to the outside and taking command on the way to the half. I Want Kandy sliced out middle splits of :58.2 and 1:27.1 before cruising home in :30.1 to win by three lengths over favourite Unabating. Azucar took home the show dough.
Sent off at odds of 9/2, I Want Kandy nabbed her fourth win of the year and the 12th of her career. The four-year-old daughter of Angus Hall-Celebrity Kandy, who races for Albina Montini, Paul Giammichele, Vincent Albanese and Kwong Sum Low, boasts a career bankroll of $105,027.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Flamboro Downs.