Off a pocket ride, 7-5 favourite Big Rich popped off the pylons and around a tiring leader to take the $11,500 Preferred 2 Trot at Flamboro Downs on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Katch Kanna took command from the pylon post heading to a :27.2 opening quarter while Big Rich floated into second and Willyorwonthe into third. Katch Kanna continued his speed through a :56.1 half and led by three lengths on the second circuit. Big Rich ranged towards the pacesetter to then take the lead past three-quarters in 1:26.2 while tracked by Willyorwonthe. The seven-year-old Donato Hanover gelding opened two lengths on Willyorwonthe entering the stretch and maintained that margin to stop the timer in 1:56.1. Absolut Seelster closed for third.
Owned by Ecurie CSL and Frank Spagnolo, Big Rich won his first race from 13 starts this season and his 27th from 152 overall, earning $552,208. Brett MacDonald piloted the $4.90 winner for trainer Richard Moreau.
Power And Grace took the co-featured $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot going wire to wire in 1:57.4.
Trainer-driver Lormer McClure, who co-owns the four-year-old Holiday Road mare with John McClure, took command from post 5 heading to a :28.3 first quarter with Sicario pushing from post 8 to secure the pocket. Power And Grace continued to lead through a minor first-over challenge from Y A Muscle Mass passing a :59.2 half and three-quarters in 1:28.1. The 6-5 favourite then scooted clear to a three-and-three-quarter length victory through the stretch while Kris Me Goodnight overtook Sicario for second.
Winning her ninth race from 16 starts this season and her 14th from 37 overall, Power And Grace has earned $99,375. She paid $4.30 to win.
American Wiggle worked first over to narrowly take the $8,500 Preferred 3 Pace in 1:53.
Toot Toot N took control from Lets Wait And See past a :27.3 first quarter and maintained his speed through a :56.2 half. Driver Alfie Carroll pulled American Wiggle from fourth on the second lap and lunged for the leader heading to three-quarters in 1:24.4. The Daniel Martin trainee overtook Toot Toot N entering the final turn and held a length-and-a-quarter lead entering the stretch while chased by odds-on favourite Dreamfair B J, who finished a head shy of victory. Boomboom Ballykeel closed for third.
A five-year-old gelding by American Ideal, American Wiggle won his second race from 19 starts this season and his 14th from 80 overall, earning $289,251. He paid $8.80 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.