Flak Jacket was a repeat winner in the $8,000 Open Pace at Alberta Downs on Saturday afternoon, equalling his lifetime mark of 1:52.2 in the feature event for trainer-driver Jamie Gray.
Flak Jacket got away fourth while longshot Sixdaysontheroad (Bill Tainsh Jr.) and Trust The Artist (Kelly Hoerdt) took turns on the lead through opening panels of :27.1 and :56.1. As Trust The Artist led the field of five to the third quarter mark, clocked in 1:24.2, Flak Jacket followed Mr Saratoga (John Chappell) to the outside and rallied wide around that foe with his sights set on the front-runner. Unleashing a :27-second final frame, Flak Jacket prevailed over Trust The Artist by half a length. The winning time was four-fifths of a second off the track record for aged pacers. Early trailer Timberline Court (Gerry Hudon) finished five lengths behind in third.
Flak Jacket paid $5.50 to win as the odds-on favourite.
Gray shares ownership of the six-year-old Brandons Cowboy gelding with Neil Malloch of Wetaskiwin, Alta. along with Manitoba's Fred Gilbert and Richard Osterbeck.
The win was Flak Jacket's third in eight seasonal starts and 19th lifetime, pushing his bankroll to $237,307.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Alberta Downs.