Driver Jim Marino guided this year’s Miss Valentine winner Mystic Maiden to victory in the $12,500 Fillies & Mares Open Pace over reigning class champion Jans Rich Girl at Fraser Downs on Sunday afternoon while completing a sweep of the early Daily Double
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After winning the opener with 5-2 second choice Tahuya Billi Rae for trainer Erik Neyhart, Marino found himself right back in the winner’s circle following another victory with 5-2 Mystic Maiden in the afternoon’s feature event.
Jans Rich Girl (Scott Knight) fired to the lead from Post 5 in the six-horse Open affair ahead of insider Mystic Maiden and Marino. However, as Jans Rich Girl approached the :28.3 opening quarter, Mystic Maiden swept out and around her to take over command.
Mystic Maiden then cruised by middle panels of :58.1 and 1:26.2 and held off the persistent Jans Rich Girl down the stretch for the half-length victory in 1:55.2. Red Star Dana (Serge Masse) advanced first over from fourth to finish third, one length behind the winner.
Mystic Maiden is trained by Brett Currie for owners Barry MacFarlane of Powell River, B.C. and the Crimson Racing Stable of Langley, B.C. The four-year-old Camystic-Artfromtheheart mare, last year’s Western Filly Pace, Mary Murphy Breeders Stake, BC Sales Stake and Delta Stake winner, earned her sixth victory in 16 seasonal starts while pushing her 2011 earnings to over $65,000. Now 26-for-37 in her career, Mystic Maiden has banked $231,295 lifetime.
The Daily Double (1-1) paid $30.90.
Marino ended the 12-race card with three wins. He also drove 9-2 third choice Custom Crafted to victory in the 10th race for trainer and part-owner Casandra Uppal.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.