Kennel Buddy’s quest for a fifth consecutive win was snuffed out by Grana Padanno who survived a first-over trip en route to capturing Thursday’s $11,000 Preferred 2 for trotters at Flamboro Downs.
Grana Padanno, who was sent off as the 4-5 favourite, got away fourth for driver Bob McClure before making a first-over bid for the lead on the way to the half. Hldontghttoyurdrms sliced out first-half fractions of :29.1 and 1:00 before being looked in the eye by Grana Padanno at the three-quarter pole in 1:29.4. Grana Padanno then used a :29.3 final frame to win by 2-1/4 lengths over Kennel Buddy. Hldontghttoyurdrms was third.
Claude Hamel of Ayer’s Cliff, QC owns the five-year-old son of Andover Hall-Her Culese. The gelding hangs his harness bag in the barn of trainer Ben Baillargeon. It was the first win of the season – and the 14th to date for the career winner of $227,862.
Totally Ripped took home top honours in the $7,500 Preferred 3 for trotters for the tandem of driver Scott Young and trainer Jeff Byron.
Young treated the gelding to a two-hole trip behind Vics Royal Lady. That mare threw down fractions of :29.1, :59.1 and 1:29.1 over a track rated ‘good’. Totally Ripped went on the attack late and used a :30-second closing quarter to win by a half-length margin over race favourite Vics Royal Lady in 1:59.3. Excellence rallied to grab the show dough.
Don Leschied of South Woodslee, Ont. owns the six-year-old son of Muscle Mass-Fin De Maye. The win improved the gelding’s 2017 record to 2-2-0 from 13 starts. The 11-time winner bumped his overall bankroll to $136,570 with the win.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Flamboro Downs.