Despite being parked for the first three-eighths of the mile, Pretty Hot ($3.80) had enough left in the stretch to fend off two late-lunging challengers for a 1:53.2 score in Tuesday's (June 26) featured $10,500 Preferred 2 Pace for fillies and mares at Georgian Downs.
The seven-year-old No Pan Intended mare made her first northbound venture up Highway 400 of the year a successful one, but it took some work for her to achieve the lead. Widest of four leavers off the gate, Pretty Hot pushed the pace at the flank of Bid Writer (Travis Henry) through a :27 first quarter before clearing with a circuit to go under strong Jason Ryan urging. Pretty Hot maintained clearance over the field — nearly three lengths with three-eighths to go — through middle splits of :55.2 and 1:23.4, but it appeared the early exertion would get the best of her turning for home.
With Stellenbosch (Doug Brown) starting up a first-over push from third with under a quarter to go and Howmacfiesty (J Harris) fanning three-wide off the home turn, a labouring Pretty Hot found herself under siege late. Undeterred and called upon for every bit of energy she could muster, Pretty Hot dug in to win a three-mare photo by a head. Stellenbosch finished second while Howmacfiesty, just a neck away in the end, was third.
In addition to scoring the winning drive, Ryan also trains 23-time winner Pretty Hot for David Kremsdorf and Jeffrey Potok.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Georgian Downs.