Fine By Me topped a 1-2 exactor for trainer Bob McIntosh in Sunday afternoon's $7,100 leg of the Prospect Series for two-year-old pacing fillies with a track record performance at Leamington Raceway.
Driven by Garrett Rooney, Fine By Me carved out fractions of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:29.1 over the 'good' track before holding off her pocket-pulling stablemate, Shine Brighter (Natasha Day), by three-quarters of a length at the end of the 1:59.2 record mile. Getting Euchred (Brent Belore) finished 2-1/2 lengths behind in third.
The time of the mile shaved four-fifths of a second off the divisional track record set by High Fashion Mel in 2014.
Fine By Me was the 1-5 favourite coming off a runner-up finish in the Aug. 14 leg at Georgian Downs and paid $2.50 to win. She combined with Shine Brighter, the 5-1 third choice, for an exactor worth $8.80.
A six-time starter, the Sunshine Beach-All Is Well filly made her second winner's circle appearance for Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. Windsor, Ont., and Mardon Stables of Loretto, Ont.
Warrawee Xceed set a new three-year-old pacing colt record, prevailing from the pocket in 1:56.3 by 1-3/4 lengths over older pacers Ridin On Sunshine and Shakin My Peaches. Dan Clements drove the popular Sportswriter-Warrawee Koine colt, who came within one second of the overall sophomore male record held by gelding Derby Dale.
Warrawee Xceed is currently trained by Jordyn Sumner and owned by Ohio-based Blueshoe Investments. After going winless in seven races as a rookie, he's won six of his 25 starts this year with 12 other top three finishes.
This week's $5,000 Preferred 4 Handicap Pace was won by Leamington newcomer Wisk Key K, who rebuffed a backstretch challenge from eventual third-place finisher Dashiki and finished 1-1/2 lengths in front of pocket-pursuer Its Eds Idea at the wire in 1:58. The 1-2 favourite, who returned $3.10 to win, brought driver Dan Clements back to the winner's circle.
Trainer Stewart McQueen co-owns the four-year-old Bettors Delight gelding with Louie Sorella of Mississauga, Ont. and Donald MacLellan of Chatham, Ont. Wisk Key K has earned nine of his 17 wins this year.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.