The alpha female of Western Canada's fillies and mares ranks for the past few seasons, Tajmeallover was making her return to the racetrack on Saturday (May 26) at Century Downs. Her counterparts made sure her return to the winner's circle wouldn't be easy.
Sent off at 3-5 in the featured $9,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace, Tajmeallover and driver J.F. Gagne took their usual seat at the back of the bus while Thats It (Rod Hennessy) blasted out of the two hole for early position. Taking the field to the opening panel in :28.2, Thats It fronted the fillies the first time in front of the grandstand until American Passion (Brandon Campbell) right-lined from third and looped the leader just before the :57.4 half.
Second choice American Passion paced strongly on the lead heading down the backside with the field still strung out...until Gagne made a move to the outer flow from fifth to start the lethal kick Tajmeallover has shown to typically take down her competition. Paul Davies wasn't content to sit third with longshot Lydi Lula Belle and pulled to pressure the pacesetter through the third quarter, reached in 1:26.2. The field bunched up turning for home, then Lydi Lula Belle pulled away from American Passion and opened up approaching the wire. With powerful strides, Lydi Lula Belle tripped the timer in 1:55 for the 15-1 upset more than two lengths better than Thats It, who snuck up inside American Passion and stuck a nostril in front for place honours. Tajmeallover finished fourth.
A six-year-old Henry Clay - Lindas Conquest mare, Lydi Lula Belle notched her second win of the season from seven starts for trainer-owner Jim Marino and co-owner JJJ Stables of Prince George, B.C.. The winner's share of the purse puts her lifetime bankroll just shy of the $90,000 mark.
For the charts from Saturday's card of harness racing at Century, visit the following link: Saturday Results - Century Downs.