Trainer/driver Nathan Sobey's multiple stakes winner Mademechangemymind made a successful four-year-old debut, winning her first Fillies & Mares Preferred appearance at Century Downs on Friday, May 8.
Stash The Cookies (Mike Hennessy), Alberta's reigning Champion Aged Mare and the 8-5 favourite in the $16,000 distaff feature, left from post three as expected with 15-1 longshot Outlawguns N Roses (James Jungquist) gunning for the top spot from post eight through a :26.4 first quarter. Outlawguns N Roses cleared off the turn but Stash The Cookies quickly retook command in front of the grandstand before backing down the pace in the second panel, reaching the half in :56.
With the early tussle settled up front, Grey Sea (John Abbott) launched her attack out of fourth with Outlaw Sharktastic (Phil Giesbrecht) following the cover and Mademechangemymind tracking third-over before fanning three-wide as the mares made their way around the final turn.
Stash The Cookies continued to lead past three-quarters in 1:24.3 and dug in down the stretch with multiple threats looming, but Grey Sea and Mademechangemymind pushed forward near the wire with the latter getting up in a close call, winning by a neck in 1:54 flat for a 10-1 upset. Sandras Mystery (Brandon Campbell) just got up to hit the board, edging out Stash The Cookies and Outlaw Sharktastic for third.
Mademechangemymind, a daughter of Winds Of Change out of Imjusttaylormade, improved her career record to 9-7-1 in 22 starts and increased her earnings to $241,283. She equalled her lifetime mark, taken last August in the Alberta Sires Stakes Princess final.
Horseplayers who made $2 win wagers on the successful mare were rewarded with a return of $22.90 and those who bet the Sobey late Daily Double got back $51.20 after favourite JK Atm took the Friday night finale.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Century Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)