Barona Josie took the streaking River Lass by surprise as she stormed home from off the pace to prevail in this week's edition of the $8,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap Pace at Northlands Park Friday night
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Wrangler Raine (Rene Goulet) grabbed the lead easily from Post 4 in the 10th race feature and kept a two-length margin between her and second-place Nakednakednaked (Gerry Hudon) as she raced by the :28.4 and :58.1 opening panels.
Fresh off three consecutive wins in the top class at Northlands, reigning Alberta Horse of the Year River Lass (Kelly Hoerdt) made her move from fifth in the third panel and rolled on by the early leader at the 1:27.3 three-quarters mark.
River Lass opened up a two length lead of her own at the top of the stretch and looked to have the win under wraps, but driver Bill Tainsh Jr. shot Barona Josie out from fourth and the 4-1 third choice flew by to steal the glory in 1:56.1. Shoplifter Hanover (Jamie Gray) also closed well from the backfield to finish second one length behind leaving River Lass to settle for the show dough.
Barona Josie paid $11.70 to win. The Brandons Cowboy-Vanessa Hall mare, who was a runner-up to River Lass just two starts ago, is owned by trainer Douglas Stout of Camrose and breeder Barona Yearlings of Spruce Grove, Alta.
The 2011 Northlands Filly Pace runner-up earned her first win in three starts as a four-year-old. The victory was her ninth lifetime and pushed her earnings to $110,586.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Northlands Park.