Nighttraintovegas claimed her second Alberta Sires Stakes title of the season as she kicked home off a pocket trip to win the $50,400 Marquis Final for three-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday afternoon at Alberta Downs.
Driver Brandon Campbell sent Nighttraintovegas to the lead off the gate with the favoured elimination winner Eliseuinthedust (Jamie Gray) taking over into a sizzling :26.2 opening quarter. Eliseuinthedust led the fillies through middle splits of :56.4 and 1:26 with Wrangler Rockette (Gerry Hudon) flushed first up from third by Barona Mercedes (Jim Marino). However, Campbell was able to angle Nighttraintovegas out down the stretch and she stormed home for the 1:54.4 career-best equalling triumph. Smilys Amira (Tyler Redwood) closed from third over to finish second, ahead of Barona Mercedes.
Nighttraintovegas paid $10.30 to win as the 4-1 third choice in the field. The homebred Camystic-Midnight In Vegas filly is trained by Richard Schneider and owned by Dick Schneider of Sherwood Park, Alta. and Edmonton's David Halmosi.
Nighttraintovegas, who is now six-for-13 on the year with over $80,000 in purse earnings, defeated Barona Mercedes in the season's first Alberta Princess Final on June 21 and then finished second to that foe in the Diamond edition on Aug. 23. They will meet again in the Battle of Alberta Super Finals on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Alberta Downs.
Three-year-old pacing colts and geldings will face off in their final regular season event -- the $49,800 Alberta Maverick Final -- tomorrow afternoon.
In this week's $8,400 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap, Travis Cullen trainee Sing Like An Angel ($10.80) prevailed by one length over her favoured stablemate Feelin Flush and G Ts Selene in 1:54.2 with Jim Marino aboard the four-year-old mare for the first time. The victory was lucky number 13 this year for Sing Like An Angel, who is owned by Keith and Margaret Hannah of Waskada, M.B. and Jodie and Ron Cullen of Glenboro, M.B.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Alberta Downs.