Sixteen of the continent’s top four-year-old pacers are set to contest Confederation Cup eliminations this coming Sunday evening (May 12) at Flamboro Downs. By the looks of the draw, it appears as though one of the eliminations will be a dogfight.
Two $20,000 eliminations have been carded as Race 6 (approximate post 8:35 p.m.) and Race 9 (9:35 p.m.) on the 11-dash card. First-race post time will be at 6:55 p.m.
The top four finishers from each elimination will advance to the final, as will one of the two fifth-place finishers (as determined by a draw by lot). The $180,000 (estimated) final is scheduled for Sunday, May 19. The connections of the elimination winners will not be able to select their charge’s posts for the final.
The second elimination is loaded with talent. Breeders Crown winner Dorsoduro Hanover (PP1, Matt Kakaley) and Little Brown Jug winner Courtly Choice (PP2, David Miller) have drawn the advantageous inner starting spots. Last season’s North America Cup winner, Lather Up (PP7, Montrell Teague), and O’Brien Award winner Jimmy Freight (PP8, Louis-Philippe Roy) will have their work cut out for them, as they have drawn the outside starting spots.
Captain Deo (PP3, Dan Dube), Rockin Speed (PP4, Billy Davis Jr.), Ghost Dance (PP5, Randy Waples) and Pedro Hanover (PP6, Trevor Henry) will also compete in the first elim.
The first of the eliminations appears to be competitive as well. The Shawn Steacy-trained Kwik Talkin has drawn the rail for James MacDonald and will be followed on the starting gate by Done Well (PP2, Dexter Dunn), Pretty Handsome (PP3, Jonathan Drury) and The Downtown Bus (PP4, Doug McNair). Backstreet Shadow will start from Post 5 for Dan Dube and will have American History (PP6, Sylvain Filion), Hitman Hill (PP7, Doug McNair) and This Is The Plan (PP8, Matt Kakaley) directly to his right on the wings.
To view the harness racing entries for Sunday at Flamboro, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Flamboro Downs.
The 2nd elimination 9th race
The 2nd elimination 9th race shapes up as the race of the year so far, not just in Canada but in all of North America. I don't think that Dorsoduro Hanover, Courtly Choice, Lather Up, and Jimmy Freight have ever all faced each other in the same race before.