Forever Ivy used her tactical speed to gain a good early seat, then overwhelmed the field with a powerful first-over bid to pull off a 20-1 shocker in Monday’s $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows
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Trainer/driver Charlie Norris hustled Forever Ivy to the three hole in a demanding :26.1 opening quarter. Despite her early labours, the four-year-old daughter of Stand Forever-Shes A Ruff One had plenty left to blow by the leader, Red Star Hottie, down the backside and draw off to score in a career-best 1:51.
Save My Shark was second, while No Sugar Needed rallied for third. Rebecca Ewing owns Forever Ivy, who climbed past $100,000 in lifetime earnings.
Although Red Star Hottie faded from contention, she could draw some consolation from the outcome; her track record for four-year-old pacing mares withstood Forever Ivy’s assault by one-fifth of a second.
Dave Palone drove four winners on the 14-race card.
(The Meadows)