Chasin Rainbows was a tough wire-to-wire winner in the $9,000 featured pace on Sunday, May 4 at Flamboro Downs.
The early going saw a three-horse battle for control among Chasin Rainbows, Maple Shadow, and Twin B Bodacious, the latter two sent off as 2-1 co-favourites. But it was Chasin Rainbows and driver Scott Coulter who emerged on top, taking the lead while Maple Shadow (Scott Young) settled into the pocket and Twin B Bodacious (Daryl Thiessen) dropped in third. The opening quarter went in :28.
After a half in :57.3, Maple Shadow launched a first-over attack and briefly poked a head in front. But Chasin Rainbows dug in gamely, refused to yield, and clung to a narrow lead through three-quarters in 1:27.1. The two mares matched strides around the final turn, but Chasin Rainbows proved the grittier of the pair. She held off her rival by a neck in 1:57.2, delivering a mild upset and returning $12.60 to win. Maple Shadow was a game second in defeat, while Safe Passage (Brett MacDonald) rallied for third.
A four-year-old daughter of Spinfiniti out of Hammers Rainbow, Chasin Rainbows is trained by Mike Kwietniowski for owners Lorraine Rey of St. Claude, Man., and Vince Sotheran of Carman, Man. The victory marked her first of the 2024 season and the third of her career, boosting her seasonal earnings to $26,850 and her lifetime bankroll to $62,921.
Also featured on Sunday’s card were two divisions of the Ontario Harness Drivers Club races, carded as Races 7 and 8, each carrying a $6,500 purse.
The first division went to driver Isaac Waxman, who guided Silver Beast ($4.10, 1:55.3) to victory for trainer Tess Waxman. In the second division, Neil MacInnis piloted Dollydaydream ($9, 1:58.3) to the win for trainer Jean-Francois Maguire.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)