Prairie Illusion took the lead down the backstretch and cruised home for her second straight victory in the $10,500 Fillies & Mares Open Pace on Friday night at Fraser Downs.
Just One More (Jim Marino) fired off the gate from post six and crossed over to command ahead of inside leaver Rummys Command (Keith Clark), but the latter mare moved back out for the retake and cleared past the :26.4 opening quarter mark. As Rummys Command took a second quarter breather, 1-2 favourite Prairie Illusion and driver Scott Knight were flushed first up from fourth and advanced steadily past the :57.4 half-mile mark. The defending distaff champion overtook Rummys Command before the 1:26 three-quarters and opened up two lengths en route to another victory in 1:54.3. Just One More finished second while Real Pretty (Bill Davis) edged out Rummys Command for third.
William Young owns and trains the six-year-old daughter of Mach Three, who earned her 25th career win and pushed her bankroll over $210,000.
Friday's eighth race produced a thrilling finish with two dead-heats. Favourite Anjella Aura (Jim Marino) rallied off cover and Soul Diva (John Chappell) shot through up the passing lane and hit the wire together in 1:57.3 to share the win. Pacesetter Whorly Jet (Brandon Campbell) was just a nose away from producing a triple dead-heat. Red Star Dana (Scott Knight) and Jemmas Jet (Kevin Anderson) finished two lengths back in another dead-heat for fourth-place.
Just one race prior, the top three finishers were just separated by noses, with favourite Red Star Katrina (J.F. Gagne) hanging on over Dream N Of Mona (Jim Marino) and Make Three Wishes (Keith Clark).
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.