A runner-up in her last two starts facing Preferred pacing mares at The Raceway at Western Fair District, Saulsbrook Olympia prevailed this time out in a win photo over top choice A Few Choice Words on Friday, April 25.
In Friday evening's featured $12,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap Pace, the Vernon Cochrane-trained Saulsbrook Olympia was partnered with driver Travis Henry for the first time in her career and got a perfect pocket trip behind the class-climbing 1-5 favourite, A Few Choice Words, the 2024 Jugette runner-up.
Hustled off the gate from post six by driver Austin Sorrie after a victorious appearance at the London, Ont. oval just over a week ago, A Few Choice Words led the field of seven distaffers through fractions of :27.2, :57 and 1:25.4. Meanwhile, recent Preferred winner Ladies From Hell advanced first-over from midfield during the final lap in rein to Garrett Rooney.
A Few Choice Words was still clear on top turning for home with Saulsbrook Olympia locked in the deuce but she shook loose late and got up in time to nose out the popular pacesetter in 1:55.4. Ladyterra, another Preferred winner over Saulsbrook Olympia in an recent matchup, closed from last to show with Samuel Fillion in the sulky.
Saulsbrook Olympia, who won back-to-back races at Woodbine Mohawk Park and The Raceway last month before climbing to the Preferred level here, improved her seasonal summary to 3-2-2 from a dozen starts. She returned $15.90 to win as the 6-1 third choice.
Edward Gorc of Sudbury, Ont. owns the seven-year-old mare sired by Big Jim out of Racino Star. Now a career winner of 32 races, she has banked $326,247 in purses.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Western Fair Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)