Clearing command from post 5, Make Mine Mocha turned away her challengers to go wire to wire in the $11,600 Fillies and Mares Preferred 2 Handicap on Saturday, May 25 at Flamboro Downs.
The five-year-old Bettors Delight mare swept to a two-length lead over War Filly moving to a :27.3 opening quarter. Buttermilk Hanover, racing fourth, edged first over approaching a :56.4 half and progressed towards the leader moving to the backstretch. The pair matched strides through a 1:25.1 third quarter before Make Mine Mocha lengthened her lead around the final turn. Make Mine Mocha hit the wire one-and-a-three-quarter lengths better than War Filly in the 1:55 mile while The Joy Luck Club, from second over, took third.
Owned by Brad Grant, Make Mine Mocha won her third race from 17 starts this season and her 15th from 85 overall, earning $210,168. Alfie Carroll drove the $8.40 winner.
Dazzling Rockette dashed around stalled cover to narrowly win the $9,400 Fillies and Mares Preferred 3 Pace in 1:55.2.
The seven-year-old Rocknroll Hanover mare sat fifth as Tilikum took control from the pylon post heading to a :28.2 opening quarter. Twenty Three Red sat second with On The Minute Mark at the cones in third before edging outside towards the half. On The Minute Mark led the two-wide tier moving to a :57.2 half with Dazzling Rockette in tow to the backside.
As the leaders dueled approaching a 1:26 third quarter, driver Ed Hensley hustled Dazzling Rockette three wide and slowly took control rounding the final turn. Dazzling Rockette held a slim lead through the stretch and hit the wire a neck better than Twenty Three Red shooting through the passing lane and On The Minute Mark holding third.
Winning her second race from 17 starts this season and her 30th from 174 overall, Dazzling Rockette races for trainer Ashleigh Hensley and Ed Hensley. The $11.40 winner has accrued $334,660 in earnings.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.