Despite being parked out to the half in an early tussle with River Lass, Jans Rich Girl wore down the favourite and went on to earn the Miss Cloverdale title on Sunday afternoon at Fraser Downs.
Leaving from posts three and four in the $25,000 six-horse affair for aged pacing mares, 4-5 favourite River Lass (Tim Brown) and Jans Rich Girl (David McKellar) fired off the gate together and battled for the leading role through early fractions of :27.2 and :55.4.
Down the backstretch, Jans Rich Girl pulled ahead and drew clear with Legal Suspensory (Dave Hudon) hot on her heels. Legal Suspensory applied heavy pressure to the new leader as they raced by the third quarter mark in 1:24.2 and gained a slight advantage on the outside around the final turn.
But Jans Rich Girl fought back, refusing to settle for second-place honours in the Miss Cloverdale for the second consecutive year. She kicked away down the stretch to a one and a quarter length victory, stopping the clock in 1:54.2. Legal Suspensory finished second while Shoplifter Hanover (Ed Hensley), the longest shot on the board at odds of 26-1, came on for third after trailing the field for most of the mile.
Jans Rich Girl paid $12.50 to win as the 5-1 third choice. Favourite River Lass faded to fifth.
Scott Knight trains the seven-year-old Camluck-Rich Jan mare for the Sunbury Stables of Aldergrove, B.C. The win was her sixth this year in 20 starts and 31st lifetime, pushing her bankroll to over $260,000.
In other racing action, Cash Account repeat in the top pacing class, scoring in 1:54 for driver Jim Marino and trainer Heather Sifert.
Trainer-driver Dave Hudon tripled up during the 11-race card with wins aboard Sterling Cooper, Segomo, and Artisically.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.