A slugfest between the two favourites in Saturday's $9,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Century Downs opened the door for Stash The Cookies to stash some serious loot and provide the longshot players with something to be thankful for this holiday weekend.
Favoured Mrs Suhwiggins (Brandon Campbell) and second chocie Lady Neigh Neigh (David Kelly) left hardest as the wings of the folded. Mrs Suhwiggins forced Lady Neigh Neigh into the pocket through an opening half with fractions of :27.4 and :57.2. Maid In Alberta (Phil Giesbrecht) began a first-over grind that flushes Lady Neigh Neigh from the pocket down the backstretch, prompting the two favourites to match strides through a 1:25.1 third panel.
With the strides of Lady Neigh Neigh starting to shorten around the final turn, Mrs Suhwiggins appeared to have vanquished her rivals but Mike Hennessy was poised in the pocket with Stash The Cookies. Finding room up the pylons, Stash The Cookies closed just enough to pick off Mrs Suhwiggins in the final strides and win by a neck in 1:56. Maid In Alberta completed the triactor.
The longest shot on the board at 16-1, Stash The Cookies picked up her third win of the season and 10th lifetime. Rod Hennessy trains and co-owns the four-year-old daughter of Sunfire Blue Chip - Saucy B with Edmonton's Lorne Duffield. Her bankroll surpassed the $120,000 mark with the victory.
To view the results from Saturday's card of harness racing at Century Downs, click the following link: Saturday Results - Century Downs.