Northlands Hosts 'Derby', 'Filly Pace' Elims

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Northlands Park's Saturday, September 23 program was highlighted by two $12,500 eliminations for the Western Canada Pacing Derby and two $12,500 eliminations for the Northlands Filly Pace.

Da Magician won the first elimination for the Western Canada Pacing Derby going wire to wire as the 2-5 favourite in 1:57.

Unfazed through fractions of :28.3 and 1:00.1, Da Magician held an uncontested lead until Senga Nitro moved out of the pocket in an attempt to take the lead through a 1:29.3 third quarter. However, Senga Nitro chased in second as Da Magician advanced to a length victory, with Machabyebaby finishing third and American Dreamer fourth.

Da Magician, a three-year-old gelding by Dragon Again out of the Real Desire mare Hottie Hanover, won his 13th race in 27 starts, earning $243,790 for owner-trainer-driver Serge Masse. He paid $2.70 to win.

Mateo also cruised going wire to wire to take the second Western Canada Pacing Derby elimination, winning by three-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:54.

The 2-5 favourite led by six lengths through a :27.1 opening quarter, soon putting up fractions of :56.1 and 1:24.2 before strolling home in front of Three More Smiles, rallying from last to take second, while pocket-sitter Ima Dude finished third and Town Speaker held fourth.

A three-year-old gelding by Blue Burner out of the Western Ideal mare Mater Deo, Mateo, a winner of 10 races in 21 starts, competes for owners Christine Cutting and Jim Marino. Trained by Justin Currie and driven by Jean Francois Gagne, the $2.70 winner has now earned $218,308.

Yoga Pants strolled to a 1:57 wire-to-wire victory in the first Northlands Filly Pace elimination.

Going fractions of :28.2, :59.1, and 1:28.1, the 2-5 favourite finished two lengths in front of Pickles On Top, who surpassed pocket-sitter Cardinal Rule to take second, while Cardinal Rule faded to third and Lil Bit O Jingle closed from second over for fourth.

Winning her 11th race in 12 starts, Yoga Pants, a three-year-old filly by Sportswriter out of the Northern Luck mare Lucks Pleasure, is undefeated in six starts this season, collecting $240,790 in her career. Owned by J J J Stables, trained by Justin Currie, and driven by Jim Marino, she paid $2.80 to win.

Coming from off the pace, Last Time To Play upset in the second Northlands Filly Pace elimination, winning at 10-1 in 1:55.1.

Positioned sixth at the quarter in :27.1, Last Time To Play was seven-lengths behind pacesetter, who went a :58 half before Last Time To Play angled first over. Finding room as Steady Breeze chased at the rail, Last Time To Play tucked to the rail to race third moving to three-quarters, stalking Thats It as she battled pocket-popper Wedding Dance at three-quarters in 1:26.1.

Last Time To Play gradually reeled in Thats It, who turned away Wedding Dance into the stretch. She cut into a three-length deficit to emerge a length in front of Thats It, with Outlaw Fireball sweeping from last to take third, and Steady Breeze holding fourth.

Owned by Lucy Raymond, Last Time To Play, a three-year-old filly by Western Terror from the Dragon Again mare Susurrus Hanover, won her ninth race in 27 starts, earning $49,054. Trained and driven by Serge Masse, she paid $23.50 to win.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.

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