Off the odds-on choice, Stash The Cookies ground uncovered to the front and put away her competition to take the $10,500 featured pace in the opening-day card — an afternoon that saw conditioner Brent Bodor score a hat trick — at Century Downs on Saturday (Feb. 26).
Pure Addition powered for the front and posted fractions of :29 and :59.1 on the lead while driver Phil Giesbrecht sat third with Stash The Cookies before pulling off the pegs towards the half. In the sprint up the backside, Stash The Cookies advanced to put a half length in front of Pure Addition to three-quarters in 1:26.4 and stayed at her side through the final turn. The six-year-old Sunfire Blue Chip mare set down for the stretch drive and drew clear of her rival, passing the beam four lengths better than Pure Addition in a 1:56.2 mile. Bearcat Josi finished third and Outlawstormywether took fourth.
Co-owned by trainer Chris Lancaster with Derek Gilbert, Stash The Cookies won her 11th race from 48 starts, increasing her earnings to $136,449. Phil Giesbrecht drove the $3.30 winner.
Trainer Brent Bodor's hat trick came naturally as he visited the winner's circle in each of the first three races on the day. He won first with Jedi Tricks ($19.60), then with Classy Artist ($4.80) before completing the triple with Diggin A Trench ($14.20).
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Century Downs.