Filly pacing sensation Malabrigo not only kept her undefeated sophomore streak rolling as Atlantic Sires Stakes action continued during Friday's Lobster Carnival Week card at Summerside Raceway, but she also etched her name in the track record books with a dazzling victory in her $7,640 'A' division.
Trainer-driver Marc Campbell tucked Malabrigo ($2.90) into the pocket behind J J Maywest and Mike Stevenson after the :28-second opening quarter and played follow-the-leader through middle panels of :58 and 1:27.2. The heavy 1-2 favourite then blew by J J Maywest in the stretch en route to the three and a half length victory in 1:57.2.
The time of the mile lowered Cookies Lighting's track record for three-year-old pacing fillies by one-fifth of a second. The former mark was set in 2001.
Blackriver Nannie went from last to second in rein to Walter Cheverie while J J Maywest settled for third.
Malabrigo, a daughter of Western Paradise out of Lots Abunny, notched her sixth win of the season in as many starts while pushing her earnings to more than $31,000 for the year and $82,000 lifetime for owner Buntainwood Farm of Brackley Beach, P.E.I. Her previous wins this year include the Maritime Breeders elimination and final, two other ATSS events, and a division of the Rudy Chappell Memorial Stake.
Campbell also picked up a victory in one of four $2,500 'B' divisions with Putyourwhipaway ($3.30), who romped to a six and a quarter length tally in 1:58.3. The other 'B' divisions were won by J J Bria ($2.70) and trainer-driver Gilles Barrieau in 1:59; the maiden-breaking Armed Force ($18.60) and Ron Matheson in 2:01.1 for trainer Jackie Matheson; and the Stevenson-driven Bossy Flossy ($17) in 2:01.1 for conditioner Jeff Lilley.
Three more 'A' divisions were contested during the Friday night card, during which last year's Atlantic Breeders Crown champion Pictonian Amanda ($3) front-stepped her way to a 1:59.2 victory in her season's debut for Stevenson, trainer Wade Sorrie and owners Daniel Ross and Bill Bell of Belfast, P.E.I. The Western Paradise-Southview Sasha filly won by two lengths over Ruby Vance, driven by Barrieau, and Windemere Nancy, with John Holmes aboard.
Earning her second ATSS trophy of the season in another division, Seeyouonthebeach ($9.30) and trainer-driver Darren Crowe swept to command after the opening quarter and cruised home to win in a career-best 1:59.1 by more than two lengths over pocket-sitter Pictonian Jewel and Campbell. Putnams Glory, driven by Gord Hennessey, rallied three-wide from the backfield to show. The Western Paradise-Red Sea filly is owned by Roy Springett of Windsor, N.S.
A As Glory ($4.50) also doubled up in ATSS action as she rallied home from second over to win her division in a new mark of 1:58.4 with Barrieau in the bike. Gilda and Clare MacDonald finished two and a half lengths behind in second off a three-hole trip while pacesetter Southfield Sophie, driven by Terry Gallant, faded to third. The homebred Carlspur-Dies Morning Glory miss is owned and trained by Andrew Ward of Saint John, N.B.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following links: Friday Results - Summerside Raceway.