Faves Deliver In Filly Stakes
Three-year-old pacing fillies were in the spotlight Saturday at Century Downs, as the oval hosted a set of $10,000 ASHA Filly Stakes.
Fire Watch survived a first-over journey to win the first division in 2:00.2 for trainer/driver Travis Cullen. The daughter of Camystic-Raging Red chased Blue Star Texas through fractions of :30.2, 1:00.1 and 1:30.3 before overtaking that foe and fending off backfield challengers. Fire Watch prevailed by half a length over Thats Extra, with My Villas On Fire finishing third.
Sent off as the 1-2 favourite, Fire Watch improved her 2015 record to 4-5-0 from 11 starts with the victory. The 10-time winner is closing in on $150,000 in career earnings for Travis Cullen and partners Ronald Cullen and Dwayne Taylor.
Take On Da Boys also proved to be a popular winner in the second division for trainer/driver Rod Hennessy. The daughter of JK Royal Flush-Doctor Ruth enjoyed a two-hole trip behind True Rock, who supplied first-half fractions of :27.4 and :57.3. Take On Da Boys took on the leader in the backstretch and showed a short lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:29 before drawing clear to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Cam Finish in 2:00.3. Honey Booboolina took home the show dough.
Alberta partner Lorne Duffield of Edmonton and Diane Harries of Falun watched the pacing lass push her lifetime earnings to $73,644 with the win. After going 0-for-9 as a rookie, the sophomore has followed up with a 6-for-20 record this season.
Sing Like An Angel was a blowout winner in the $12,500 Open Fillies & Mares class for trainer/driver Travis Cullen. After sitting fourth through the opening half, the mare commenced a first-over rally and swept to the lead in the backstretch. She wound up scoring by 6-1/2 lengths over Rummys Command in 1:56.2. Gottaluckydeal rounded out the top three finishers.
The public was in love with the five-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Place At The Table, who was sent off as the 1-9 choice. Keith and Margaret Hannah of Waskada, AB share ownership on the mare with Jodie Cullen of Glenboro, MB and Travis Cullen of Airdrie, AB. The victory was the 13th of the season for the career winner of $183,864.
To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Century Downs.