Slim N Sleek finished off her 2009 campaign with a pair of wins last December, and on Saturday afternoon the five-year-old pacing mare made her 2010 debut a winning one when she rallied off cover to prevail over Vic Victor in the $1,400 Winners Over Pace at Exhibition Park Raceway
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In rein to Gilles Barrieau, the daughter of Cammibest-Starlite N Velvet got away sixth from Post 3 in the field of nine while Vic Victor (Lonny Stokes) hit the front at the :28.4 opening quarter and remained in control through middle stations of :58.4 and 1:28.3. After following the cover of Caras Allamerican (Mark Haig), Slim N Sleek kicked home in :29.3 to score by a length over the pacesetter in 1:58.3. Favourite Perfect Trick (Stephen Mahar) edged out last week’s winner, Trishas Beauty (Sam Hodgin), and Caras Allamerican for third.
Trained by Rosaire Barrieau for owner Maurice Allain of Memramcook, NB, Slim N Sleek put together a record of 12-8-4 in 41 starts last year earning over $17,000 in the process. She has now won 16 times in her career good for $31,702 in purses.
In her $3,000 claiming assignment for fillies and mares, Emily J Down continued her own winning streak. The daughter of Drop Off-Tuscon Melody made it five-in-a-row for trainer-driver Stephen Mason when she went three-wide at the third quarter station and sprinted home in :29.3, beating pacesetter Camco Wineette (Todd Trites) by a head in 2:01. The five-year-old mare is owned and bred by the Downey Stables of Saint John, NB.
To view Saturday's results, click here.