Cullens on fire at Flamboro

The mother-son team of Jodie and Travis Cullen combined for eight wins on the Thursday (Jan. 18) harness racing card at Flamboro Downs.

Travis Cullen’s night at the lines accounted for five of the victories, and Jodie Cullen sent out three of those winners as a trainer. The pair’s first win came with Brodys Scrapper (Mach Three) in the second as the 13-year-old romped by six-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:55.1. It was the second straight win for the gelding to begin the year and his 56th lifetime.

BRODYS SCRAPPER REPLAY

The duo scored another dominant victory in the fourth with Betternotmachme (Betterthancheddar), who went all the way in 1:56.3 and was clear by four-and-a-quarter lengths at the line. Jodie Cullen conditions the mare for Wayne MacRae and Howmac Farms. The four-year-old has now won 11 of 31 lifetime outings.

BETTERNOTMACHME REPLAY

Travis Cullen scooped a pair of wins on his own in back-to-back races. He won the fifth with Play N Bad (Shadow Play), making it two straight victories for the gelding after starting his career 0-for-33. The driver then piloted Smooth Lou (Sweet Lou) to victory in the sixth, the gelding’s second win in a row after not reaching the winner’s circle since 2021. Tom Riley trains that eight-year-old for Triple S Equine and Robert and Ronald Woodburn.

Jodie Cullen completed her triple and Travis Cullen secured his fifth as they won the ninth race with Yourtheone (Shanghai Phil). The six-year-old dictated the tempo and hung on to win by a neck to go three-for-three on the season. The Cullens own the gelding, now a 23-time winner in 101 lifetime appearances, with Ronald Cullen.

YOURTHEONE REPLAY

Travis Cullen is 19-for-70 to start the year, a win rate of 27.1 per cent. Jodie Cullen is striking even higher, a 34.9 per cent clip with 15 wins in 43 starts.

Racing continues at Flamboro Downs on Saturday, Jan. 20 beginning at 6:35 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink