Rebounding from a disappointing eighth place finish in the Northlands Filly Pace earlier this month in Alberta, three-year-old Red Star Hannah returned to Fraser Downs and prevailed in a close three-horse finish in the $12,500 Fillies & Mares Open Pace on Monday's Boxing Day card
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Driven by Tim Brown, the Mary Murphy Breeders Stake champion settled into the pocket as 3-2 favourite Jennas Pass (Keith Clark) forged to the front from the outside Post 6.
Jennas Pass carved out early fractions of :27.3 and :58.2 before Western Bee (J.F. Gagne) went first up from third with Legal Suspensory (David Hudon) following her cover from fourth.
Western Bee collared Jennas Pass as they raced by the third quarter mark, timed in 1:27.2, and put her away at the top of the stretch. However, Red Star Hannah was full of late pace and zipped up the passing lane to prevail in 1:56.4 by half a length over the rallying Legal Suspensory. Western Bee finished three-quarters of a length back in third.
Red Star Hannah paid $10.50 to win as the 4-1 third choice.
Ray Gemmill trains the As Promised-Red Star Allie filly for the Western Pacific Stable and Ian Moyes of Surrey, B.C., and Steve Shand of Port Coquitlam, B.C. The win was her sixth of the season in 14 starts and pushed her 2011 earnings over the $80,000 mark while her lifetime earnings climbed past the $100,000 plateau.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Monday Results - Fraser Downs.