Stash The Cookies was a persistent leader in the $25,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace, landing back in the winner's circle at Century Mile on Friday, Oct. 25.

First off the gate from the pylons, driver Dave Kelly and favourite Stash The Cookies retook the lead from the quick-leaving Outlaw Sharktastic (Nathan Sobey) through a :27.3 opening quarter. Stash The Cookies set middle splits of :55.4 and 1:24.1 with rival Outlawabovenbeyond (Mike Hennessy), who nosed out the popular pacesetter last week, applying first-over pressure as they turned for home. But Stash The Cookies rebuffed that challenger this time out, drawing off by nearly four lengths and equalling her season's mark of 1:52.2. 

A Preferred winner at the Edmonton oval on Sept. 27 with a pair of top three finishes since, Stash The Cookies was sent postward as the 3-5 bettors' choice and paid $3.20 to win. Outlaw Sharktastic, the 5-1 second choice, re-emerged in second with 52-1 longshot Red N Ready (Brandon Campbell) following in third.

Trained by John Chappell, the eight-year-old Sunfire Blue Chip-Saucy B mare is now eight-for-12 on the year with $78,500 in purse earnings for owner Derek Gilbert of Brandon, Man. Friday's outing was her 38th successful start lifetime and the lion's share of the purse lifted her bankroll to $391,859.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Century Mile.

(Standardbred Canada)