It was a close call, but Thatll Be Franny got her nose to the wire first for a repeat victory in the $12,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace at Western Fair Raceway on Wednesday

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Teaming up with driver Doug McNair for the first time, the Kenneth Gowan trainee advanced first up from fourth after the :28.2 opening panel and closed in on the leading Victim Of Love (Alfred Carroll) past the :58 half-mile mark. Thatll Be Franny began to edge out in front by the next marker en route to three-quarters in 1:26.3 and drew one length clear entering the stretch. She then held off 19-1 shot Passion R Virginie (David Dowling) for the 1:56.1 neck victory. Pathtodover (Doug Bowins) finished third.

Thatll Be Franny paid $6.20 to win as the 2-1 second choice. The eight-year-old daughter of Thatll Be Me and Little Franny is owned by breeder Audrey Crawford of Wallacetown, Ont. She now boasts five wins in nine 2012 starts and nearly $30,000 in seasonal purse earnings.

To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Western Fair Raceway.