Rip Rockin Lady and driver Ty Buter needed every inch of real estate to get up for a narrow score over race favourite Windsong Experanza in Monday’s $44,200 final of the Niagara Pacing Series at Woodbine Racetrack.
Buter worked out a perfect second-over ride for the three-year-old Keystone Raider miss, who catapulted off cover and closed into a fierce headwind to take home the lion’s share of the purse.
Windsong Experanza, who was sent off as the 7-5 choice, marched the field to the quarter pole in :29.3 and she led the way past the half in :58.2. Signal applied the first over pressure to the leader and Rip Rockin Lady edged off the rail to follow that cover in the back half of the mile.
Buter tipped his charge off cover at the mid-way point of the final turn when Signal's first-over bid stalled. She continued to dig as the field entered the lane, and her tenacious closing skills helped her to haul down Windsong Experanza in the closing strides. The margin of victory was a neck. Paper Cut closed up the rail to finish third.
The homebred, who hangs her harness bag in the stable of trainer Todd Buter, is owned by Michigan partners William & Carol Fuhs, James Marion and Lynette Buter. The filly pushed her lifetime earnings to $80,871 in the process.
To view Monday’s results, click here.