After being a victim of a bad post, a trailing trip and a pedestrian tempo in last week’s Preferred 2 for trotters at Flamboro Downs, Muscle Matters bounced back in a big way to take home top honours in Thursday’s $11,000 Preferred 2 Handicap at Canada’s fastest half-mile oval.
Bob McClure hustled Muscle Matters to the position of command from Post 4, and the pair never looked back after slicing through panels of :28.3, :58.4 and 1:28.1. A :29.1 kicker earned the gelding the win by three-quarters of a length over race favourite – and the winner of last week’s class – Intimidate in 1:57.2. Kennel Buddy was third.
Trainer Ben Baillargeon co-owns the six-year-old son of Muscle Mass-Sister Mary Lindy with Nunzio Vena, Santo Vena and Richard Thompson. It was the third win of the season for the 14-time winner who pushed his lifetime earnings in excess of $515,000 with the victory.
Terrain Seelster and Lexis D J battled through the fog in the $7,500 Preferred 3 for trotters, but when they hit the line the AGCO Judges couldn’t separate them.
The dead-heating tandem hit the line together in 1:58.2, winning by 1-1/2 lengths (contrary to what the chartline indicates) over Azucar.
Trainer Daniel Martin co-owns Terrain Seelster with Michael Cote Gagnon, Jean Picard and Denis Robidoux. The partners watched driver J Harris help the four-year-old son of Federal Flex-Tymal Timeout improve this year’s record to 5-2-2 from 20 trips to the track. The 10-time winner has banked $67,064 to date.
Lexis D J lit the lamp for the 50th time in his career for owner/trainer Shane Arsenault of Freelton, Ont. Bob McClure mapped out the winning trip for the 10-year-old son of Amigo Hall-Lexus Lulu. He’s managed to stash away more than $520,000 in his career.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Flamboro Downs.