The Atlantic provinces' top three-year-old pacing fillies invaded Truro Raceway on Sunday afternoon for the Frank & Beth Stanfield Memorial Pace, which was split into four $13,887 divisions.
The stakes event started with last year's Atlantic Breeders Crown and Maritime Breeders Stakes champion Carol Alice returning to victory lane for the first time in her sophomore year. Driven by Clare MacDonald for trainer and owner Doug Rankin of Sydney, N.S., the Brandons Cowboy filly advanced first over from third nearing the half-mile mark and cruised home to win in a career-best equalling time of 1:59.1 by one and three-quarter lengths. Early leader Ask Dont Tell (Jason Hughes) settled for second while Windemere Maggie (Gilles Barrieau) finished third.
Last year's Island Breeders Stakes champion Dont Tell Cindy also earned her first sophomore score in the second division, scoring in wire-to-wire fashion in 1:59.4 over Ultimate Cowgirl (Kenny Arsenault) and Putnams Kream (Bernard McCallum). Gilles Barrieau drove the Tell All filly for trainer Earl Watts and owners Thomas McGuffog of Hanwell, N.B. and Geoffrey Macneish of Douglas, N.B.
Fresh off a pair of Atlantic Sires Stakes victories, Whistys Paradise was the fastest Stanfield winner in 1:57.3 after rallying three-wide at the third quarter pole. The Western Paradise filly, who was driven by Ernest Laffin, prevailed by a length over Icandothat (Ryan Ellis) while Skip The Exam (Marc Campbell) finished third. Blair Laffin handles the training duties for owner Christopher Laffin of Mill Village, N.S.
The lightly raced Scootin For Joy earned her biggest win yet when she front-stepped her way to a 2:00.2 score in the final division for driver Mike Stevenson and trainer Wade Sorrie. The Western Paradise filly, owned by Peggy Connors of Shediac Cape, N.B., defeated Ramblinglily (Brodie MacPhee) by nearly three lengths. Largomotion (Kenny Arsenault) rounded out the top three finishers.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Truro Raceway.