Three-year-old pacing fillies found themselves in the spotlight at Fraser Downs on Sunday as the oval hosted a pair of $8,000 eliminations of the Marian Young Stakes
Despite entering her assignment with a 0-for-15 lifetime record, Savemethelastdance was sent off as the odds-on favourite and she didn’t disappoint. Trainer/driver Serge Masse rolled her on the lead through fractions of :28, :57.3 and 1:27 before stepping home in :30.1 en route to the 4-3/4 lengths score over Viola in 1:57.1. Kootenay Kandykane was a distant third.
Masse, who shares ownership on the daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Full Dance Card with James Vinnell of Langley, BC, watched her improve this year’s record to 1-3-4 in 10 starts while pushing her lifetime earnings to $15,574.
Imherefortheparty was a maiden up until her latest outing on March 4 at Fraser Downs, and the youngster doubled up thanks to a 1:57.1 score in the second elimination for the tandem of driver Jim Marino and trainer Erik Neyhart. Sent off at odds of 9-1, the daughter of Usher Hanover-Nazko Jesse got away fourth and sat fourth while Oil Town Amelia supplied the field with panels of :28.3, :58.2 and 1:27.2. Marino found room for his charge and she used a :29.1 final quarter to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Strange Desire. Third prize went to a rallying Pureform Venus.
Neyhart shares ownership on the career winner of $15,328 with Donna Scrannage of Delta, BC. After going winless in eight starts as a rookie she now owns a 2-0-1 record in her first four starts of the 2011 campaign.
The $15,000 final of the Marian Young Stake goes next Sunday at Fraser Downs.
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Fraser Downs.