Pacing mare Tajmeallover has run out of competition before, and she might yet again if the form she showed Saturday (June 30) at Century Downs marks a return to her award-winning dominance of seasons past.
The field of six originally slated for the $9,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace was reduced by a third after the race-day scratches of both Watch My Luck (lame) and G Ts Jamie (sick). That left just four mares to vie for the lion's share of the purse and bragging rights.
Last week's winner in this class was American Passion, and with rail control she was sent off as the 4-5 favourite. Driver Brandon Campbell got all the respect with his charge, leaving quickest and then rating through a :28 opener and tepid :58.2 half in front of three rivals. Thats It (Rod Hennessy) sat the pocket in front of Lydi Lula Belle (Paul Davies) and Tajmeallover (J. F. Gagne).
Heading down the backside, the pace noticeably quickened approaching the third station. In advance of that marker, Davies started the outer flow with Lydi Lula Belle, providing near immediate pressure to the pacesetter through that 1:26.4 third quarter. Gagne was positioned second over with Tajmealllover and was towed into a perfect pouncing position as Lydi Lula Belle cleared to the front turning for home. Tipping off the cover, Tajmeallover showed her form of season's past and sprinted past her rival to hit the wire in 1:55. Lydi Lula Belle stayed for second over Thats It.
Tajmeallover (Tajma Hall - Watch Over Me) notched her first win as a seven-year-old to push her total to 43 lifetime along with nearly $309,000 in purses. Gagne also trains and co-owns the former Alberta Horse of the Year with Peter Van Seggelen, Carl Warnaar and Tapron Holdings Ltd.
To view the results from Saturday's card of harness racing at Century Downs, click the following link: Saturday Results - Century Downs.