Three-year-old pacing fillies American Passion and Contesta Hanover each took new lifetime marks with their winning efforts in a pair of $10,000 Ralph Klein Breeders Stakes eliminations on Saturday afternoon at Alberta Downs.
American Passion fired to command from post eight in the first elimination and carved out fractions of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:27.3 en route to a 1:55.3 victory for trainer/driver Gerry Hudon.
Favourite Skade, driven by Brandon Campbell, followed two and a half lengths behind in second while Blue Star West and Jamie Gray advanced first over to show. Barona Lilac and Kelly Hoerdt finished fourth with Fire Dance fifth for Don Monkman Jr.
Hudon also shares ownership of the winning filly with Monica Hudon of Sturgeon County and R. Lynn Kowalevsky of Airdrie, Alta. Unraced at two, American Passion now has six wins and three seconds in 10 starts with $25,550 earned in purses.
The American Ideal-Felicia Hanover filly paid $8.40 to win as the 3-1 third choice.
Trained and driven by Keith Clark, Contesta Hanover opted to play follow-the-leader in the second elimination behind Emotions Run Wild and Hoerdt through fractions of :28.4, :58.3 and 1:25.4. But the Yankee Cruiser-Countess Spur filly out-sprinted the pacesetter in the stretch to prevail by a head in 1:55.4.
Favourite Crackers Hot Shot, driven by Bill Tainsh Jr., suffered her first loss of the season finishing two and a half lengths behind in third after a first over journey from the backfield. Kiss My Crouper and Ryan Grundy were fourth while the Campbell-driven Artprize finished fifth.
Clark co-owns Contesta Hanover with Robert Jones of Slave Lake, Alta. After going winless in three starts as a freshman, she has put together a 4-4-4 slate in 21 seasonal starts to earn the bulk of her $31,774 bankroll.
Sent postward as the 4-1 third choice, Contesta Hanover paid $10.40 to win.
The $50,000 (guaranteed) Ralph Klein final will take place next Saturday, July 20 at Alberta Downs.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Alberta Downs.