Some of the world’s most talented trotting mares were in action Monday evening at Woodbine Racetrack in the first leg of the Miss Versatility Series, and the star of the show proved to be Perfect Alliance.
The Julie Miller trainee, who went into her assignment with a nine-for-nine seasonal record, powered to a world record-setting performance of 1:51.2 for driver Yannick Gingras. He hustled the four-year-old daughter of Credit Winner-Yalta Hanover to the lead and she didn’t look back after posting panels of :26.3, :55.1 and 1:23.4. A :27.3 kicker propelled Perfect Alliance to the 1:51.2 decision over race favourite Bee A Magician and Dorsay.
Little E LLC, Jason Settlemoir, David Stolz and Arthur Geiger own the 12-time winner, who pushed her lifetime earnings in excess of $180,000.
Classic Martine captured the opening division in 1:52.2 for the tandem of driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Chris Oakes.
Tetrick hustled the four-year-old daughter of Classic Photo-Drinking Days to the lead from Post 1 and she chopped out a :27.1 opening quarter before giving way in the backstretch to Charmed Life. That foe sliced out middle splits of :57 and 1:25 before giving way to the pocket-popping Classic Martine coming out of the final turn. Classic Martine roared home in :27 to win by four lengths over Rockin With Dewey. Third prize was earned by Upfrontluckycarol.
Fresh off her world record performance of 1:51.2 at Pocono Downs, Classic Martine improved her 2014 record to 3-for-3 with the winning effort. Hauser Bros RCNG Ent LLC, Susan Oakes, Conrad Zurich and Edwin Gold share ownership on the 15-time winner who pushed her lifetime earnings to $581,224 with the win.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.