After leading most of the way, Sauslbrook Jessie came under late pressure from pocket-sitter Manhattan Night but prevailed by a slim margin to take the $13,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 Pace on Saturday (July 24) at Georgian Downs.
Wide to a :27.1 first quarter, Saulsbrook Jessie grabbed control passing the stands first time from Manhattan Night and slowed the tempo to a :56.1 half. She continued in front up the backside under slight first-over pressure from So Frisky while the pace accelerated to three-quarters in 1:23.4, but she turned that rival away straightening for the finish. Manhattan Night came at the leader with fresh legs late, but the Ronald MacDonald trainee held firm to win by a head in 1:53. Better Be Donna N, the odds-on favourite, finished another two lengths behind in third.
A five-year-old mare by Big Jim, Saulsbrook Jessie races for owner Edward Gorc. She won her third race from 16 starts this season and her 14th from 63 overall, earning $130,146. Brett MacDonald drove the $13.60 winner.
Driver J Harris dominated the undercard, winning five of the total nine races on the evening. He scored back-to-back victories with Kounnis ($3.80) and Ceaseless ($4.70) before completing a natural hat trick with wins by Ultra ($9.80), High Roller Duke ($3.60) and Veyron ($2.10).
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Georgian Downs.