British Columbia invader Just Fiction converted off a perfect pocket trip to win the $9,900 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Northlands Park on Friday night.
Big Bang Theory (Gerry Hudon) worked her way to the lead over Just Fiction during a :28.2 opening panel before taking a second quarter breather. After reaching the half in :58.1, driver Brandon Campbell tipped the loaded Just Fiction off the pylons and edged by the pacesetter near the 1:26.4 third quarter mark. Just Fiction drew clear into the stretch, opening up one and three-quarter lengths on her foes, and stopped the clock in 1:56 flat. Baby You Save Me (Don Monkman Jr.) and Doober Hoozzitz (John Chappell) came on for second and third while Big Bang Theory settled for fourth.
Just Fiction paid $7.40 to win as the slight 5-2 favourite.
The five-year-old Kents On Nuke mare, owned and bred by the J J J Stables of Aldergrove, B.C., is trained by Lance Ward while racing in Alberta. Her last appearance in the province was at the end of 2011 during which she finished third in the Northlands Filly Pace after winning an Open prep and her elimination.
The win was Just Fiction's first of the season and 23rd lifetime, pushing her bankroll to $246,115.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Northlands Park.