With odds-on favourite Resolute Bay breaking stride ahead of him, Serenade Street had things his own way and strolled to a 2:01.1 victory in the second of two $7,100 divisions for the Prospect Series Two-Year-Old Colt Trot on Saturday (Sept. 11) at Flamboro Downs.
Resolute Bay protected position from the pylon post to lead the field by a :30.2 first quarter with Serenade Street sitting second. Near the bottom of the second turn, Resolute Bay skipped a step and soon broke into a gallop, leaving Serenade Street on the front to a 1:02 half. He continued to lead into the second circuit while withstanding a first-over challenge from Ima Standup Guy to three-quarters in 1:31.4 and maintained command to the finish to win by 1-1/4 lengths. Resolute Bay recovered his stride and rallied to take third, another seven lengths behind runner-up Ima Standup Guy.
A gelded son of Muscle Mass, Serenade Street broke his maiden in his fifth start and has earned $5,730 for owner Gestion J. Y. Blais Inc. Brett MacDonald drove the $24.40 winner for trainer Richard Moreau.
Sir Ballykeel delivered as the 1-5 favourite in the first Prospect Series division, surviving a first-over grind to win in 2:02.3.
Landing the pylon post following a scratch, Sir Ballykeel settled into third while Glandcaster Hall led the field to a :31.2 first quarter. Driver Jason Ryan soon got underway with the gelded son of Il Sogno Dream and ranged overland to within a length of the lead passing a 1:03.2 half. Sir Ballykeel stayed alongside Glandcaster Hall to three-quarters in 1:33 and continued to press the leader off the final turn. Glandcaster Hall eventually succumbed to the challenge and broke stride to the finish as Sir Ballykeel surged to a 1-1/4 length score over pocket-sitter Arch Ruler. Despite the break, Glandcaster Hall took third.
Bred and owned by Ballykeel Racing Inc., Sir Ballykeel won his first race from seven starts, earning $19,545. Josh McKibbin conditions the $2.50 winner.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.