Daisy Corvette shined during the season finale on New Year's Eve as the Shanisty Andres-conditioned mare went gate-to-wire to take $14,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred on Sunday, Dec. 31 at Century Mile.
Mike Hennessy and the four-year-old Mystician-Yellow Mustang mare set panels in :28.1, :56.3 and 1:25 before continuing home to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:53.4. Outlaw Blue Isle (David Kelly) finished second and Goodbye Ceia Later (Phil Giesbrecht) completed the triactor.
Tammy Murschell owns Daisy Corvette, who has recorded seven wins in her last nine starts of the season. The 13-time career winner moved her lifetime bankroll to $118,802. She returned $3.10 to win as the bettors' choice.
In the $12,500 Preferred 2, Ernesto Delacruz controlled the timer through panels in :26.4, :54 and 1:22.4 before crossing the wire 1-1/2 lengths the best in 1:52.2. Bonus Round (Kelly) was second with Samba Beat (Giesbrecht) third.
Trainer J.F. Gagne co-owns the five-year-old Vertical Horizon-Camifasolasi Do gelding with Peter Van Seggelen. Ernesto Delacruz earned his fifth win of the season from 24 starts and his 16th career victory, moving his earnings over the $300,000 mark. He paid $3.80 to win.
Travis Ellis trained four victors on the Sunday evening card to close out a career year, including Outlaw Allie Oops ($5.70) in 1:53.3 with Mike Hennessy, Sporty Jewels ($4.10) in 1:57.1 in rein to Giesbrecht, Airline Pilot ($11.10) in 1:55.2 with Hennessy, and Tuff As Buff ($7.70) in 1:57.1 with Hennessy back in the bike.
Brinsley Brooking-Lutz also sent out four winners that included a sweep of the late Daily Double during the 13-race program. Her stable stars of the night were Havinfuninthesun ($9.40) in 1:55.1 with Thomas Miller driving, Myohmylookatmefly ($8) in 1:56 with Kelly aboard and the Miller-driven My Little Chloe ($4.10) in 1:56.4 and Whiplash Smile ($12.30) in 1:52.4. Brooking-Lutz closed out her second season as a trainer with a perfect night (her other starter was scratched).
Brandon Campbell took home the honours as the 2023 leading driver with 78 trips to the winner's circle. Following in second, David Kelly had 66 seasonal tallies while Mike Hennessy rounded out the top three with 64 victories.
David Kelly was the 2023 leading trainer with 44 wins over the meet. Brandon Campbell trained 36 winners to finish second in the standings and Nathan Sobey trained 28 winners to finish third.
Racing at Century Mile resumes on Friday, Jan. 5 and continues on a weekly Friday-Saturday evening schedule.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Century Mile.