Robert Shepherd earned his 3,000th career driving win on Wednesday evening (Dec. 6) at Flamboro Downs, teaming up with Jared Bothwell’s Open Skies ($4.30) in the card’s final race.
The four-year-old Skydancer Hanover mare bottomed out the field of $7,000 distaff claiming pacers, controlling fractions of :28, :57.2, and 1:26.2 while leaving pocket rival Gangnam Style (Colin Kelly) well in her wake. While Warrawee Speedy (Aaron Byron) emerged out of third to make steady ground up the far side on the second occasion, Open Skies had amassed enough clearance to protect a half-length victory despite decelerating to the end of a 1:58.1 mile. Shesaroyal Cowgirl (Travis Cullen) likewise gained belatedly to take third, another length back.
Robert Shepherd is honoured trackside following his milestone win at Flamboro
The 37-year-old Shepherd, who calls Flamborough, Ont. his home, began his driving career in his native Prince Edward Island in 1999 before a stint in Alberta and permanent relocation to Ontario in 2006. Since then, he has amassed over $1 million in purses earned in 10 of the last 11 seasons.
Pollar Hall Cruises In Featured Trot
After odds-on favourite Emmalulu broke on the first turn, Pollar Hall ($11.00) was able to make easy work of a mid-race challenge from Tiki Taka en route to a 1:58.2 victory in the featured $9,000 top-level trotting event.
Emmalulu (Alfie Carroll) left most strongly from midpack to outsprint Zorgwijk Queen (Scott Young) and P C Cantore (Curtis Clements) to the apex of the first turn, but broke immediately upon clearing the lead to join Ionia (Nick Steward)—who broke at race’s outset—at the tail of the field early on. When Zorgwijk Queen also broke an eighth of a mile in after assuming control, Pollar Hall inherited third spot behind P C Cantore, who fell into the lead nearing a :29.4 first quarter.
Phil Hudon sent the four-year-old Amigo Hall gelding to the fore nearing the far turn on the first occasion, and after clearing, the pair kept a sustained first-over challenge from Tiki Taka (Louis-Philippe Roy) well at bay through middle splits of :59.2 and 1:28.1 before drawing away on the final turn. Pollar Hall shook free nearing the eighth pole, and was driven out to win by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:58.2. Tiki Taka held second over P C Cantore, who chased in vain at the pegs after being left behind on the final turn.
Pollar Hall, a Kevin Davidson homebred, earned his ninth career win and his first since October 5.
The $8,100 sub-featured trotting event saw Bred For Greatness ($2.50) waltz to a 4-1/4-length victory over Irenes Love, stopping the clock in 1:59.2 with Bob McClure aboard for trainer Ben Baillargeon.
To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Flamboro Downs.