Oh Lina faced a tough first-up trip in a field of nine in the $13,000 Preferred Trot at Flamboro Downs on Sunday evening (Nov. 20) and despite long-shot odds, she prevailed.
Driver J Harris eased Oh Lina from her spot on the rail into fifth when the car pulled away. They were 6-1/2 lengths off the leading Sicario (Austin Sorrie) at the :28.1 opening panel. Run Like Hill (Colin Kelly) began to pull from sixth, nudging Oh Lina to pull first over. Oh Lina charged ahead, only 1-3/4 lengths off the leader, Power And Grace (Brett MacDonald), at the :59 half. She continued to power on, now facing pressure on her outside from Run Like Hill. The three horses were staggered across the track when the clock timed the three-quarters in 1:28.2. In the final turn, they were matched eye-to-eye. Oh Lina appeared to fade in the stretch when she suddenly found a second wind to make one last advance, beating favoured Power And Grace at the wire by a nose in 1:58.4. Run Like Hill was third by a nose.
Oh Lina is a five-year-old mare trained by Teresa Stokes for owners Linda Denis and Danielle Loonan. The daughter of Amigo Hall recorded her sixth win of the season and 12th lifetime with $118,848 in career earnings.
Oh Lina paid $65 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Flamboro Downs.