It didn't come as easy this time, but it was still her 11th in a row, and that gives One More Molly the longest winning streak in North America.
Filly and mare claiming pacers, racing for a purse of $3,500, were featured at Cal-Expo on Sunday, January 10, a day upon which One More Molly remained the queen.
Leaving nicely from the outside Post 6, One More Molly had to deal with Stick Up (driven by Gilbert Herrera), who left to push from the pole before yielding prior to the opening quarter. Did trainer Tim Maier have to use his five year-old into a :28 opening quarter?
"Yes, she got used, but it was a welcome sight to see Trishie May (Luke Plano) coming -- just for the cover she'd now provide for me," Maier stated.
Yielding past the quarter-mile pole, Maier was appreciative when Plano hit the brakes in the second eighth of the second-quarter.
"Luke slowing up the pace was good because I had already used my horse a little bit."
Racing in the pocket at the half-mile station, timed in :57, Maier found himself sitting chilly midway through the final turn at the same point Plano chased after his charge. At the three-quarter mile pole (1:26.2), however, One More Molly popped out of the pocket -- but whose choice was it?
"She kind of brought herself out when Luke started shifting around there, but I was actually going to wait to pull her until we were well into the lane. As a result, I was hoping she'd hang on when she pulled."
Getting her earplugs popped past the three-quarters, Maier got the reaction he expected.
"She responded like always -- with her best effort."
Taking over the lead into the lane with an eighth of a mile to go, One More Molly was looking for the wire late as a result of serious bids from Stick Up and Wicked Beach (James Kennedy).
"They were both coming at her from either side and I was concerned in deep-stretch, but she was able to hold on by the hair on her chinny chin chin."
Holding on to win ($2.80) by a head, the Denise Maier-owned mare stopped the timer in 1:55.4, a personal seasonal best. Stick Up was a good second, and Wicked Beach was just a neck further back, in third.
"I was happy she got there once again, but you can't win forever and I'm sure the streak will end at one point," Maier concluded.
Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday (January 14) and continues through Sunday (January 17). Post-time are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. (PST).
(With files from Cal Expo)