Federal Flex and Jody Jamieson were the unwavering victors in Saturday night's $718,000 Valley Victory Final for two-yar-old trotters at Woodbine Racetrack.
The son of Muscles Yankee was on the move early, taking the lead after the :28.1 first quarter, posted by Cantabs Pride (Jack Moiseyev). Federal Flex cruised through a :58.2 half, but faced a first-over challenge from Judge Joe (Doug Ackerman) through a 1:27 third quarter. Judge Joe managed to poke a nose in front of the pacesetter, but Federal Flex battled back and kicked away by two lengths in the stretch for the win in 1:56.2.
Encore Encore (Tim Tetrick) closed well for second and Judge Joe finished third. Judges ruled that Meyer Winsky (Ray Schnittker) did not receive a fair start and was refunded.
Federal Flex – Valley Victory Final
"Coming into last week's elimination, he had about six weeks off, and two of those he didn't do anything," said Jamieson to WEG Media after the victory. "He was running a high white (blood cell) count after the William Wellwood (where he finished an uncharacteristic ninth) which was a devastating start for us * we really thought we were the best in there.
"They've done a great job getting him here and getting him tight enough. We schooled him once, and he's had two tighteners. So last week we were three wide up the back side, and Encore Encore got the jump on us round the last turn. My horse fought right to the wire * he didn't even know he got beat, he was so close to the wire. He tries to win all the time. He's just such a nice horse.
"This horse has never gone to the front," Jamieson added. "He heard footsteps going into the last turn, and he grabbed the bit. I chirped to him coming into the head of the lane and he just dug in. He's got a great attitude and he's so athletic. He's just been a dream from day one.
"We're going to discuss (the Breeders Crown) after this. It's a month and a half away almost, and we hope he's got a big campaign next year. So we'll talk about it and see where we go from there."
Jeff Gillis trains the consistent trotter who sports a record of 5-1-0 in seven starts for the Federal Flex Stable of Cambridge, Ken Henwood of Mississauga, Al Libfeld of Pickering and Marvin Katz of Toronto, Ont. Federal Flex has earned $470,568 in purses.
To view Saturday's results, click here.
(Photo courtesy of New Image Media)