Returning south of the border after a pair of starts at Woodbine Racetrack, which included one victory in Open company, Royal Cee Cee N front-stepped her way to a season's best 1:50.3 score the $35,000 top handicap pace for fillies and mares at Harrah's Philadelphia on Friday afternoon
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Reuniting with Ron Pierce, Royal Cee Cee N worked her way to command from the seven post past the :27.1 opening quarter mark. Once in control, the six-year-old daughter of Christian Cullen never waivered as she carved out middle splits of :54.4 and 1:22.3 before cruising home for the one length victory over New Album (Tim Tetrick) and Heartbreak Pass (Yannick Gingras). Even-money choice Higher And Higher (Daryl Bier) finished fourth.
Royal Cee Cee N has finished first or second in half of her 10 starts this year while banking $75,100 for owner-trainer Mark Harder. She paid $9.40 as the 7-2 second choice this time out.
Lifetime, the New Zealand import has visited the winner's circle 18 times and has banked $424,912 in purse earnings.