Shuffled to last, Ashlynn Grace and trainer/driver John Chappell circled the field of distaff pacers in the final quarter-mile to win Easter Sunday's (March 27) $10,500 Open at Fraser Downs.
Inside leaver Wrapped To Go (:28.2, :58.2, 1:27.2) was confronted by favourite Prairie Illusion near the three-quarters mark with Drawing Dead, who had recovered from a break in stride at the start, tracking second over and Ashlynn Grace moving into the outer flow at the back of the six-horse field. As Prairie Illusion went by the pacesetter in the stretch with Shezgotdawoogies closing from the pocket, Chappell sent Ashlynn Grace out widest of all and the Dudes Leaving Town mare kicked home to prevail by half a length in 1:58.2 over the 'good' track. Shezgotdawoogies finished second ahead of Prairie Illusion, who saw her three-race Open win streak come to an end.
The win was Ashlynn Grace's first in three starts competing at the Open level following a third and fourth-place finish over the past few weeks. Sent postward as the 3-1 second choice on the toteboard, Ashlynn Grace paid $8.60 to win.
The eight-year-old mare now boasts 21 career victories on her resume with earnings just shy of the $100,000 mark for her Edmonton-based owner, Bob Watt.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.