River Lass, in rein to trainer/driver Kelly Hoerdt, survived a first-over journey en route to lowering her own track record and taking home the lion’s share of Sunday’s $75,000 ASHA Breeders’ Stakes Final at Alberta Downs
The three-year-old daughter of As Promised-Brass Buttons paced the mile in 1:53.3, and that shaved one-fifth of a second off the 1:53.4 track record she originally established on July 3, 2010.
River Lass, along with entrymate W Jean, was sent off as the 1-5 choice in the eight-filly affair and she didn’t disappoint. Hoerdt slid his charge into an early four hole while Rossridge Fortune (Keith Clark) to the field to the quarter pole in :28.1. She maintained the lead through middle splits of :58 and 1:26.4, but during that time she felt first-over pressure from River Lass.
Hoerdt took over the lead at the head of the lane with River Lass, and her :26.4 final quarter was more than enough to finish off the competition. She drew off to win by a one-length margin over the Keith Clark-trained Queen Of Swing. That filly’s stablemate, Jean W (Don Monkman, Jr.) was third.
Hoerdt shares ownership on River Lass with partner Blair Corbeil of Beaumont, AB. Together they’ve watched the sophomore, who was a $2,600 purchase from the 2008 ASHA Yearling Sale, picked up eight wins in 20 lifetime starts while banking more than $82,000 along the way.
To view Sunday’s results, click here.