The betting public was infatuated with Nighttraintovegas in Saturday’s $52,500 final of the Alberta Princess at Alberta Downs, and the filly dug in deep en route to delivering on the pari-mutuel promise.
Brandon Campbell got away third from the rail with Nighttraintovegas while Barona Mercedes hustled the field past the quarter pole in :28.1. Campbell had his charge up and driving in the second quarter, and they cleared to the top without a tussle. They stepped through middle fractions of :56.4 and 1:26.1 before unleashing a :29.3 final frame, which was good enough to fend off the pocket-sitting Barona Mercedes by a head in 1:55.4. Mothers Melody took home third money in the rich tilt for three-year-old fillies.
Nighttraintovegas, a daughter of Camystic-Midnight In Vegas, improved this year’s record to 3-0-1 from five trips to the track while lifting her seasonal earnings to $35,308 with the win. The Richard Schneider-trained homebred is now 8-for-14 in her career. The career winner of $95,822 is owned by Dick Schneider of Sherwood Park and David Halmosi of Edmonton, Alberta.
On the undercard, Sing Like An Angel rallied for a 1:55 score in the $8,400 Fillies & Mares Open. Philip Giesbrecht engineered the victory for the Travis Cullen pupil who defeated Feelin Flush and American Passion.
Keith and Margaret Hannah of Waskada share ownership on the four-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Place At The Table with Jodie and Ronald Cullen of Glenboro, Manitoba. The partners watched her win for the 19th time in her career while pushing her bankroll to $56,638.
To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Alberta Downs.