Prairie Illusion and driver Scott Knight benefited from an early speed duel and rallied home off cover to win the $10,500 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Fraser Downs on Friday night.
The first quarter was an aggressive :26.2 speed duel over the off track as outsider Millbanks Ariel (Allan Molloy) overtook insider Real Pretty (Travis Bowman). The former caused interference to the latter when crossing to command and the eventual outcome was a judges placing involving those two at the conclusion of the race.
However, Real Pretty moved back out for the re-take in front of the grandstand, and as she passed the half-mile mark in :56.2, Northlands Filly Pace champion Rummys Command (John Chappell) advanced first up from third with Prairie Illusion following her cover from fourth.
Rummys Command took over the lead en route to three-quarters in 1:25.2 with Prairie Illusion in pursuit and ultimately pacing by down the stretch to win in 1:55.1 over the track rated "good" with a one second variant. Just One More (Jim Marino) came on for third.
Following a driver's objection that was reviewed and upheld by the judges, fourth-place finisher Millbanks Ariel was placed fifth for causing the early interference to Real Pretty, who was bumped from fifth to fourth.
After missing by a neck in her last two starts, Prairie Illusion earned her 24th career victory and the winner's share of the purse pushed her earnings over the $200,000 mark. The six-year-old daughter of Mach Three paid $3.50 to win as the 3-5 favourite.
Prairie Illusion's owner and trainer, William Young, went two-for-two on the card as he also won the opener with the maiden-breaking sophomore gelding Double Trouble, driven by Clinton Warrington Jr.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.