Royal Cee Cee N Wires Open Mares
Royal Cee Cee N turned back a challenge from double millionaire Put On A Show to win the $75,000 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap Pace featured on Wednesday's card of harness racing at Harrah's Philadelphia.
Driven by Ron Pierce, Royal Cee Cee N worked her way to command from post five, clearing past the :27.2 first quarter mark over Feeling You (Eric Goodell), Bettor B Lucky (Yannick Gingras) and outside starter Put On A Show (Brian Sears).
As she led the field scratched down to six through middle splits of :56 and 1:23.2, heavy 1-5 favourite Put On A Show moved up to apply first over pressure with Bettor B Lucky following.
But Royal Cee Cee N rebuffed the challenge and drew clear down the stretch to win for the 25th time in her career. The time of the mile was 1:50.3. Put On A Show followed two and a half lengths behind in second and Bettor B Lucky rounded out the top three finishers.
Royal Cee Cee N paid $11.20 to win as the 9-2 second choice.
The six-year-old Down Under daughter of Christian Cullen, who now sports a 10-7-2 seasonal record in 28 starts, is owned and trained by Mark Harder. With the victory, Royal Cee Cee N's earnings climbed to $322,200 for the year and $672,012 lifetime.