Floyd The Freak fires to $40,000 Balanced Image triumph

Floyd The Freak (Archangel) charged to the top and led all the way in the $40,000 Balance Image final on Saturday (Aug. 27) at Hanover Raceway.

Heavy favourite Darbyshire (James MacDonald) broke stride at the start and was quickly out of contention. Floyd The Freak (Ed Hensley) therefore had a clear path to the front from post three and sailed to a :30.2 first quarter. Hensley gave him a big breather to the half in 1:02.1.

Resolve To Win (Scott Young) brought fourth a challenge as they approached three-quarters in 1:32.3, but Floyd The Freak responded with a strong final quarter and held a length-and-a-half margin to score in 2:02.2.

Rough Tuff Tested (Jonathan Drury), fighting from the pocket, outkicked Resolve To Win for place. The win price was $12.80.

Floyd The Freak, campaigned by wife/husband team Ed and Ashleigh Hensley, has won three of six races in his rookie campaign for $47,612 in earnings. The pair bred and owns the gelding; Ashleigh trains.

The card also contained five divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots fourth leg for two-year-old pacing fillies.

Twin Delight (Bettors Delight) captured the first split by four lengths for driver Bob McClure and trainer Shawn Steacy. It was the filly’s second career win in four tries for Hutt Racing Stable.

Bala (Sportswriter) eked out a victory by a neck in the second group. MacDonald piloted the Peter Brickman trainee for owner Erin Swainson Brickman of Sebringville. The filly is now two-for-five lifetime.

Charming Vixen (Sportswriter) gave McClure a double in taking the third division in 1:59.1. Blake Macintosh trains her for Hutt Racing Stable, Sue Smith, Mortgage Boys Stable, and Woods & Macintosh. It was the filly’s second win to date in six attempts and her first victory in the Grassroots.

Manasquan Beach (Sunshine Beach) notched her first Canadian win in the fourth split. MacDonald steered the filly to a 1:58.1 score form the front. She is now three-for-eight for trainer Ted Macdonnell and owners Kara Morales, Barry Bresnahan, and Alyssa Maddox. She debuted at Iowa fairs and shipped to Ontario at the end of July.

Chakka (All Bets Off) upset at 11-1 in the final division. She held on by a neck in 2:00.1 with Tyler Borth at the lines for her first career win. Rene Dion conditions her for S&R Stable, Martin Leveillee, and Stanley Zipkin.

Charmbo Prince (Royalty For Life, MacDonald, 1:58.4) won the day’s Walker Trot.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink