It was Prospect Series mania at Flamboro Downs on Thursday evening as the half-mile oval hosted a total of six divisions for the sophomore set.
Here’s what transpired over the course of the evening in the various categories:
Three-Year-Old Colt Trot
Sir Ballykeel was sent off as the 1-9 choice in his $7,300 assignment, and the Josh McKibbin pupil was a handy winner in 2:02.1.
In rein to Bruce Richardson, the son of Il Sogno Dream-Ballykeel Majestic sat third to the half before launching a first-over bid on the way to the three-quarter pole. With fractions of :30.4, 1:02 and 1:31.4 in front of him, the gelding kicked home in :30.2 to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Arch Ruler. Serenade Street was third.
Bred and owned by Ballykeel Racing Inc of Tillsonburg, ON, the three-time winner won for the first time this season while lifting his lifetime earnings to $37,775.
Three-Year-Old Filly Pace
Sauble Amber also nabbed her first win of the season as she rolled to an impressive victory in 1:55.3 for the tandem of driver Anthony Haughan and trainer Otis Hall.
Sent off as the 1-2 favourite in the $7,100 affair, the homebred daughter of Betterthancheddar-Ambrosia Seelster marched to the lead from Post 6 and carved out panels of :27.4, :56.4 and 1:25.4 before cruising home in :29.4 to win by 3-3/4 lengths over No Time. Alla Prima rounded out the Trifecta ticket.
Bred and owned by Sauble Hill Farms and Nasussito Racing, Sauble Amber improved her overall record to 2-1-3 from 11 assignments with the win. Her bankroll climbed to $18,718 in the process.
The second division went to Novella Seelster in front-stepping fashion for the tandem of driver Colin Kelly and conditioner Ben Wallace.
The daughter of Sportswriter-Nila Seelster set sail for the lead from Post 4 and once she secured the top spot she never relinquished it. With fractions of :29.1, :59.3 and 1:28 to work with, she then sprinted home in :29.1 to win by a neck over race favourite JMR Sporty Mel in 1:57.1. Larjon Ladybug was third.
After going winless in eight starts as a freshman, Novella Seelster has responded with two wins from her first three starts of her sophomore campaign. The winner of $25,733 is owned by Wallacestandardbreds Inc, Daniel Plouffe and Dean Lockhart.
Three-Year-Old Filly Trot
Self Important manufactured a front-stepping score in her division for trainer/driver Bruce Richardson.
The daughter of Resolve-Holier Than Thou pressed out from Post 7 and after parking past an opening quarter of :29.2 she worked her way to the lead and laid down middle splits of 1:00.1 and 1:30.4. From there she kicked home in :30.2 to post the nose decision over Jandals in 2:01.1. Taking home the show dough was Opas Faith.
Sent off as the 2-5 favourite, the filly won for the second time this season from four assignments for Richardson and partner Morley Bosomworth. She’s banked just over $8,000 to date.
Three-Year-Old Colt Pace
ODs Amores was a popular winner in his assignment for trainer Rob Fellows, who watched the gelding go down the road for the victory.
With Travis Henry at the helm, the son of Betterthancheddar-Two Sides Of Love launched out and laid down fractions of :28.1, :58.2 and 1:28.2 before sprinting home in :29.2 to win by a half-length margin over Radar Enforced in 1:57.4. Squadron Seelster took home third prize.
Prevailing as the 1-5 favourite, the gelding improved his 2022 record to 2-0-1 from seven appearances for owners Wayne MacRae and Daniel Ross. The lion’s share of the loot lifted the pacer’s career earnings over $15,000.
Sharky Bear was a powerhouse winner in the second division as he stormed home to stop the clock in 1:54.3 for the team of driver Jason Ryan and trainer Kevin Bodz.
The son of Hes Watching-J High sprinted to the top from Post 3 and served up splits of :28.1, :57.3 and 1:26.1 before kicking out a final frame of :28.2 to win by 6-3/4 lengths over Moonwatcher in 1:54.3. Nassau Hanover rounded out the top three finishers.
Sent off as the 3-5 favourite, the gelding celebrated a maiden-breaking triumph in what was his 15th lifetime start. Bodz owns and bred the career winner of $12,130.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Flamboro Downs.