After engaging in a long speed duel, Cambridge Duchess produced a late burst to capture the first leg of the fillies and mares conditioned claiming series at The Track On 2 on Sunday, Aug. 10.
The mare pressed forward for Mike Hennesssy to take the lead from post six on the first turn and completed the first quarter of the $4,000 event in :28.1. Shes Like The Wind (Kelly Hoerdt) attempted a backstretch brush from fourth, but Cambridge Duchess gave her the cold shoulder and tussled with her through the half in :57.
After Shes Like The Wind struck the front momentarily, Cambridge Duchess battled back on the inside and began to repel that opponent at three-quarters in 1:26. The race was far from over though, as Frostfire (Logan Gillis) swung off cover in the stretch to attack, and Blue Star Sapphire (Dave Kelly) came through at the pylons. Frostfire appeared to be going by the pacesetter at the 1/16th pole, but Cambridge Duchess dug in and pushed through between horses to prevail by a half-length in 1:55.2. Frostfire finished second over Blue Star Sapphire. The winner returned $6.30.
Cambridge Duchess earned a new lifetime mark as she tallied the sixth win of her season and career. The Rebecca Kanak-trained mare has made 17 starts in 2025 and 29 lifetime. Trevor Williams of Landmark, Man. owns the four-year-old daughter of Domitian Hanover-Princess Merlot.
In another impressive performance, Kiss My Bet circled the field uncovered to win the $4,000 first leg of the claiming series for horses and geldings. Tom Miller took the favoured stallion back off the car, landing in the trailing spot as Ima Party Boy (Kelly) led to the quarter in :28.2. Kiss My Bet mobilized past first station and made steady headway, advancing to fifth at the half in :59.4 and reaching the leader’s wheel at three-quarters in 1:29.4.
Ima Party Boy added to his advantage on the final turn and held a two-length cushion into the last eighth of a mile, but Kiss My Bet grinded him down and got up to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.1. Sams Jizzy Jet (Hennessy) finished third. The winner paid $2.70.
Kiss My Bet has won six times in 20 attempts this season for trainer Brinsley Brooking Lutz, who co-owns him with Harvey Jaeger of Airdrie, Alta. The four-year-old son of All Bets Off-Stealin The Kisses is nine-for-39 lifetime.
Both claiming series are for non-winners of $30,000 lifetime as of June 1. The tag is $10,000 plus allowances.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - The Track On 2.
(Standardbred Canada)