Countess Stormont trotted her way into the record book at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday evening thanks to an impressive triumph in the $14,000 Preferred Trot

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Countess Stormont front-stepped to a 1:55.2 victory for driver Jonathan Drury, and that was a track record effort for older trotting mares. The Norm Jones trainee erased the former mark of 1:56 set by Final Balance in 2007.

Drury rushed to the lead with the five-year-old Kadabra-Lady Orbitex miss, who sliced out splits of :27.2, :57.1 and 1:26 before kicking home in :29.2 en route to the 1:55.2 decision. Runner-up Silverado Dream was 2-3/4 lengths behind the winner, with Paddington rounding out the top three finishers.

Stormont Meadows of Long Sault, ON bred and own the 19-time winner, who matched her lifetime mark in the process. She has stashed away more than $361,000 to date.

The co-featured $14,000 Preferred Pace went to P H Bestman, who rallied to a two-length triumph in 1:54 for driver Stephane Gendron.

The five-year-old son of Cambest-Art Blanche, who was one of three winners on the card for trainer Jamie Copley, battled to the quarter pole in :27.2 before sitting a two-hole trip behind Peenie through middle splits of :56.2 and 1:24.4. Gendron found clearance in the lane for his charge, and a :29-second final frame was more than enough for P H Bestman to defeat Peenie and Whistling Hanover.

Dr. James Shive of Shubenacadie, NS owns the 26-time winner, who is now 8-for-26 this season. He has banked more close to $68,000 this year and more than $222,000 to date.

To view Sunday’s results, click here.