Distaff pacers were on display on Wednesday (Aug. 12) at Grand River Raceway, with Saulsbrook Jessie ($3.90) and Tilikum ($24.00) proving best in their respective $8,500 Preferred 3 events.
Saulsbrook Jessie's 1:53.4 mile in the first Preferred 3 division (race five) took top honours on the card. Brett MacDonald hustled the four-year-old daughter of Big Jim to a clear lead through a :27.1 first quarter before backing down the pace on the second turn. After rating a :56.3 half, Saulsbrook Jessie faced a stern first-over threat from Balfast N (Scott Young), but dismissed of that challenger before also holding off an inside threat from pocket rival and eventual runner-up War Filly (J Harris) to prevail by a length.
Ron MacDonald trains eight-time winner Saulsbrook Jessie for Edward Gorc.
In the second split (race seven), Tilikum and owner-driver Denis St. Pierre rode the pocket to a narrow 1:54.1 victory over OK Jasmine. An early break by 3-2 favourite Fool Me Again changed the complexion of the race before the gates sprung, but the second and third choices — OK Jasmine (J.R. Plante) and Top Royal (Colin Kelly) — both had their sights set on the lead. The two duelled tooth and nail through splits of :28.1, :56 and 1:24.1 while Tilikum drafted closely behind. Off the home corner, St. Pierre angled Tilikum to the open stretch and urged the eight-year-old Jeremes Jet mare to a head victory over OK Jasmine. Top Royal held third.
Tiffanee Staley trains Tilikum, who now owns 29 career wins.
To view Wednesday's complete results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Grand River Raceway.