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Six days after a powerful storm forced a cancellation, the 1A leg of the Prospect Series for Ontario-sired harness raicng three-year-olds went ahead at Flamboro Downs on Thursday (May 26).
The first races of the season were scheduled for May 21 at Flamboro, but the track called off the card due to power outages caused by an extreme weather event. The Prospect series will consist of five legs ā some split into A and B divisions – and a final.
Recaps of each of Thursdayās six divisions are below.
Race 1 ā three-year-old trotting colts and geldings
Sir Ballykeel (Il Sogno Dream) was third through the opening half, brushed by flat-footed foes on the backstretch, and eased home for Scott Coulter in a 2:02.1 score. Arch Ruler (Bruce Richardson) was home in time to keep second over the advancing Serenade Street (Jason Ryan), who recovered from a break at the start.
SIR BALLYKEEL REPLAY
Joshua McKibbin trains Sir Ballykeel, a Ballykeel Racing homebred. The gelding has won three of his 15 lifetime starts and has amassed $37,775 in earnings. It was his first of the season in five tries.
Race 2 ā three-year-old pacing fillies
Sauble Amberās victory was never in doubt. The Betterthancheddar filly sprinted out from post six for Anthony Haughan, dashed away to a four-length lead by the half, and converted easily in the fastest time for a sophomore pacing filly on a half-mile track this season in Canada ā 1:55.3. No Time (J. Bradley Harris) made marginal gains late and finished second. Alla Prima (Ryan) was third.
SAUBLE AMBER REPLAY
Sauble Amber is now two-for-11 lifetime for Otis Hall and owners Sauble Hill Farms of Tara and Nasussito Racing of Ayr. She has made $18,718. It was her first win in two starts this season. She shaved a fifth of a second off of Girl Scout Cookieās previous top time, which was set on May 14 at Flamboro.
Race 3 ā three-year-old trotting fillies
Self Important (Resolve) got the benefit of the photo in the third as she held on by a nose over Jandals (Scott Coulter) after battling to the front from post seven and leading from three-eighths onwards. Jandals got room late and made a charge but was a stride too late in the 2:01.1 mile. Opas Faith (Bill Megens) was third.
SELF IMPORTANT REPLAY
Self Importantās victory was her second straight and second lifetime in six starts. She has earned $8,045. Bruce Richardson trains the filly and shares ownership with Morley Bosomworth of Elora.
Race 4 ā three-year-old pacing colts
Ods Amores (Betterthancheddar) fired out to the lead and cut the mile under orders from Travis Henry in 1:57.4. Radar Enforced (Ryan) tore into the deficit late but missed by a half-length. Squadron Seelster (Tyler Borth) picked up the show cheque.
ODS AMORES REPLAY
Robert Don Fellows conditions Ods Amores for Wayne MacRae of Fall River and Daniel Ross of Belfast (P.E.I.). The gelding improved his record to three-for-eight and his career earnings total to $15,065 with the win.
Race 5 ā three-year-old pacing fillies
Novella Seelster (Sportswriter) withstood a third-quarter challenge and a late rally at the pylons from favourite Jmr Sporty Mel (Borth) to win in a lifetime-best 1:57.1 in line to Colin Kelly. Larjon Ladybug (Coulter) finished third after her extended first-up bid.
NOVELLA SEELSTER REPLAY
The winner is now two-for-three this year after going 0-for-8 in her rookie season. Wallacestandardbreds Inc. of Puslinch, Daniel Plouffe of Bromont, and Deam Lockhart of Collingwood co-own the Ben Wallace trainee that has now earned $25,733.
Race 10 ā three-year-old pacing colts
Sharky Bear (Hes Watching) closed the 1A leg with a dominant six-and-a-half-length maiden-breaking romp for reinsman Ryan. He beat a four-horse group of leavers to the engine, etched out a three-length cushion going to the half, and stormed home to win in 1:54.3, the fastest mile of the season by a three-year-old colt on a half-mile track in Canada. Moonwatcher (Dan Megens) was best of the rest. Nassau Hanover (Borth) finished third.
SHARKY BEAR REPLAY
Kevin Bodz of Arthur owns and trains Sharky Bear, a homebred. It was the geldingās first win in 15 career starts. His career earnings total $12,130. His 1:54.3 clocking beat 1:56.2 times set by Leavin Bruises on May 13 at London and St Charlesfireball on May 21 at Charlottetown.
The Prospect Series continues with leg 1B on May 31 at The Raceway at Western Fair District. Some legs have been split into A and B divisions to provide more racing opportunities. Horses in an A division of a leg may also race in its B division. Horses accumulate points towards an entry in the final by racing throughout the season.
For complete race results, click here.
by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink
