Three-year-old pacing fillies Im Sheila and Easterpromise charged home to steal the spotlight in a pair of $20,000 Wild Rose divisions contested during the Saturday afternoon card at Alberta Downs
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Last year’s Alberta Sires Stakes two-year-old filly champion Im Sheila came charging home from the backfield to deliver on her pari-mutuel promise in the first Wild Rose division for driver Jeff Stone and trainer Kelly Hoerdt.
Shoplifter Hanover (Brent Grundy) established herself as the pacesetter off the gate and carved out fractions of :28.1, :59.2 and 1:27.2. Meanwhile, Im Sheila found herself seventh and 19 lengths off the lead in the early going before moving into the outer flow. Still six and a half lengths off the lead at the third quarter mark, Im Sheila kicked into high gear and came flying home in :28.3 to prevail in 1:57.1 by a neck over a rallying Feelin Flush (Brandon Campbell). The pocket-sitting Clintons Keepsake (Keith Clark) finished just a half length behind in third.
Im Sheila paid $3.60 to win for the second time in three seasonal starts for her new ownership group, including Hoerdt, Peter Morris, Roque Consultants Inc. and Blair Corbeil. The career winner of five races is approaching the $100,000 mark in earnings.
Easterpromise made her debut for the Brandon Campbell barn during the Easter weekend a successful one in the second Wild Rose division.
Firing to command from Post 8, Dewinton Destroyer, part of the favoured three-horse Keith Clark entry, led the way past stations of :28.3, :58.2 and 1:27.4. However, Easterpromise, who found herself seventh and 17 lengths off the lead after a Post 10 start, was full of late speed and came charging home in :27.4 after an overland journey to prevail in 1:56.4. Dewinton Destroyer finished second three-quarters of a length behind while Baja Beach (Gerry Hudon) finished back in third.
Easterpromise paid $10.10 to win. The As Promised-Western Drama filly was claimed for $10,500 by Gregory Martin of Calgary, Alta. in her last start on April 10 at Fraser Downs. Easterpromise, who went winless in four starts as a freshman, has recorded five victories in eight 2011 starts. The lion’s share of the purse pushed her bankroll to $23,962.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Alberta Downs.