Bragging rights are on the line as the 2012 Canadian harness racing season concludes, with tight races between trainers and drivers at tracks across the country.
On Sunday evening, driver J.R. Plante secured the Flamboro Downs driving title after a close late-season battle with Billy Davis Jr. Plante pushed his 2012 local win total to 250 with a driving double during the 12-race card, giving him a five point edge over Davis. After winning the fifth race with Northern Buzz, Plante put the exclamation mark on his Flamboro season by scoring his last win in the 11th race with Machal Jackson by 15-3/4 lengths.
The resident of Burlington, Ont. is wrapping up a career-best year in the sulky and sits just a couple victories away from the 2,000 lifetime win mark.
Two of the New Year's Eve cards on Monday will settle the score for titles at Red Shores at Charlottetown and the Woodbine-Mohawk circuit.
Jody Jamieson and O'Brien Award finalist Sylvain Filion head into Monday's matinee card at Woodbine Racetrack with the drivers' race up for grabs. Jamieson holds a three-win lead over Filion for wins at Woodbine and Mohawk during 2012, with Jamieson at 283 to Filion's 280. While Jamieson is ahead by three, Filion has three more chances on Monday with nine drives to Jamieson's six over the 11-race afternoon card.
Trainers Ken Arsenault and Jackie Matheson are tied at 52 wins apiece with just one card of racing left in 2012 at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park. Monday's card is set for 7:00 p.m. local time, and Arsenault will have six chances to Matheson's four to claim the trainer's title.
Congratulations Jean Rene!
Congratulations Jean Rene!