Ripping three wide into the final turn, Manhattan Night nabbed the lead in the stretch to take the $13,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 Pace at Georgian Downs on Saturday (July 3).
Driver Travis Henry settled the 5-year-old Dali mare into third from the pylon post while Casimir Swamp Girl took the lead past a :26.1 opening quarter. Sly Eleanor N – off the odds-on favourite – yielded for the pocket but promptly popped out to retake the lead, however Casimir Swamp Girl kept her parked through a :54 half.
The speed duel softened as the leaders tired to three-quarters in 1:23.1. Henry meanwhile launched his charge around the faltering battlers and grabbed the front off the final turn. Her stablemate So Frisky gave pursuit from last to finish second in the 1:53.2 mile, beaten a length, while Queso Relleno rallied for third.
A homebred for Luc and trainer Anita Ouellette owned by his Luc Ouellette Incorporated, Manhattan Night won her third race from nine starts this season and her 17th from 58 overall, earning $157,429. She paid $10.60 to win.
The Prospect Series for three-year-old trotting fillies opened a few races later with Radical J J snagging the opening round as the 7-5 favourite. The daughter of Muscle Mass took the top from post 4 and led uncontested through opening splits of :28.3 and :59.1. She faced brief pressure to three-quarters, timed in 1:29.2, from Threads Of Silk before that one broke stride to the final turn. From there, Radical J J opened her lead to cross the beam 3 1/4 lengths better than Mensa in a 1:57.2 mile. I Da Princess closed for third.
Owned by David Reid, A K Malik Stable, Carmen Chrysdale and Bruno Dipoce, Radical J J won her fourth race from 12 starts, earning $24,776. Colin Kelly drove the Shawn Steacy trainee who paid $4.70 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Georgian Downs.