On the night she was named The Raceway at Western Fair District’s Older Pacing Mare of the Year from the 2020 season, Casimir Swamp Girl got right back to work and posted a gutsy win in the featured $12,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 Handicap.
Colin Kelly hustled Casimir Swamp Girl to the lead and after slicing out splits of :28.3, :59.1 and 1:27.3 the Kyle Bossence pupil stepped home in :30.1 to win by three-quarters of a length over I Wish You Well in 1:57.4. Bettor Trix N was third.
The five-year-old daughter of Up The Credit-Trust Me Ashley, who is owned by William Pendleton of Kenilworth, is now two-for-two to start the season after going 10-3-3 from 20 starts last year. The 20-time winner has stashed away more than $110,000 in her career.
The homebred Manhattan Night took home top honours in the $10,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3 for driver Travis Henry and trainer Anita Ouellette.
The five-year-old daughter of Dali-Manhattan Killean got away third while Sirius Star shot to the top and served up opening quarter speed of :28.3. Henry popped first over with Manhattan Night as the field headed to the mid-way point, and she showed a short lead at the half in :59.
Manhattan then knifed out the three-quarter clocking of 1:27.1 before using a :29.2 final frame to win by 3-1/4 lengths over Sirius Star in 1:56.3. Taking home third prize in the eight-mare affair was Ladylike.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite, Manhattan Night won for the first time this season and for the 15th time in her career for Luc Ouellette Incorporated of Campbellville, Ont. The distaffer has banked over $140,000 to date.
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.