Flamboro Downs: Emoticon Hanover enters the record book

Emoticon Hanover set a new track record for a 3-year-old filly trotter at Flamboro Downs when she won a C$105,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series division on Sunday night in 1:56 3/5.

Driven by Sylvain Filion, Emoticon Hanover followed Magical Steph (Steve Byron) in the two-hole through fractions of 28 3/5, 58 3/5, and 1:27 3/5. Filion sent Emoticon Hanover out of the pocket past three-quarters, and she would gain ground around the final turn, engaging Magical Steph as they turned for home. In the stretch Emoticon Hanover went by Magical Steph, and then she drew off to defeat Dewdle All Day (James MacDonald) by about three lengths. Magical Steph wound up third.

The previous track record at Flamboro Downs for the division had been 1:57 and belonged to Condi Lane (2008), Miss Paris (2012), and Riveting Rosie (2014).

Luc Blais trains Emoticon Hanover, a filly by Kadabra, for owner Determination. This was her tenth win from 22 career starts, and she has now earned C$579,676. The 1-5 favorite, Emoticon Hanover paid $2.50 to win.

In the other division, heavily favored Flowers N Songs (Doug McNair) rallied to win in 1:57 3/5. She worked out a second-over trip behind Elegantimage Stakes champion Royal Charm (Paul MacDonell) on the way to the 1:28 3/5 three-quarters, then out-kicked that foe in the stretch to score by a length and a quarter in 1:57 3/5. Tymal Tempest (Jonathan Drury) came in third.

Flowers N Songs, a daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe, is trained by Paul Reid for owner/breeder Robert Key. Flowers N Songs, who did not race as a 2-year-old, is 10-for-25 this year, and she has banked C$460,284. Sent off at 1-2, Flowers N Songs returned $3.00 to win.