Designated Leader went to the front and didn’t look back en route to taking home the lion’s share of the

$75,000 purse in Thursday’s final of the Damsel Pacing Series at Woodbine Racetrack.

And this damsel was never in distress for driver Randy Waples, who was afforded the luxury of carving out easy fractions in the mid-stages of the mile with the Murray Brethour trainee.

Designated Leader, who started from post nine in the ten-mare affair, blasted the lead and had them all lined up behind her through a :26.3 opener. Waples backed off the pace in the second quarter when unchallenged, and had them in the palm of his hand when the half flashed up in :56.3.

Rip Rockin Lady, who was one-third of a heavily favoured Todd Buter-trained entry, launched a first over attack heading towards the final turn and she forced Waples and Designated Leader to pick up the tempo going to the three-quarter pole.

Designated Leader went :28.2 when called on, and that put the field at the three-quarter pole in 1:25. A :29-second final frame was more than enough for the four-year-old daughter of No Pan Intended to seal the one-length decision over Rip Rockin Lady. Third prize went to the pocket-sitting P H Dreamer.

Sent off as a 7-1 outsider, Designated Leader improved her 2009 record to 3-1-4 in 10 starts with the win. She has banked $182,313 to date for the partnership of Bill Manes, Robert Little, Bill Cripps and Paul Sabourin.

For Thursday’s results, click here.