Neil Desborough's homebred pacing mare Delta Grace Tone took a new lifetime mark as she defeated even-money favourite Thatll Be Franny in the $7,500 Preferred 3 for distaffers on Wednesday evening at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Driven by Robert Shepherd, Delta Grace Tone charged out of the gate from post four and cleared insider Thatll Be Franny (Nick Steward), but that class-dropping rival quickly retook through the :28.3 first quarter. Thatll Be Franny then proceeded to the half in :58.2 and three-quarters in 1:27.1. However, Delta Grace Tone was launched from the pocket coming off the final turn and wore her down in the stretch for the half-length victory in 1:56.3. She paid $21.40 for the 9-1 upset. Trailing tier starter Rain Cloud Hanover (Bob McClure), sent postward at odds of 4-1, finished six lengths behind after a first over bid.
The victory was Delta Grace Tone's 11th and fastest in 50 career starts -- all on half-mile tracks. The five-year-old daughter of Stonebridge Regal out of Delta Megaera is now two-for-11 this year, adding $16,205 to her bankroll that now stands at $68,373.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Western Fair.