Fly To The Angels paced home for her 50th career victory on Friday (August 23) in the $6,000 Fillies & Mares Open at Northfield Park.
Fly To The Angels started from post six and let her competition post stiff fractions of :27.2, :55.2 and 1:24. She used a closing-kick in the stretch to grab the lead late and best her closest competitor, Moonlite Delite (Aaron Merriman), by three-quarters of a length. She stopped the clock at 1:53.4, the fastest time of her six wins this year. Fly To The Angels returned $17.60 to win.
Britney Dillon and Carrie Scott co-own Fly To The Angels. Trainer Dean Eckley called upon Josh Sutton to drive her to this milestone triumph.
The nine-year-old has 218 career starts, winning 50 times, and finishing second and third 34 and 33 times respectively. Fly To The Angels (Sign Of Success-Score Big Hanover) has career earnings of $198,476 and a lifetime mark of 1:52.2 taken at Hoosier Park at age eight. The pacer’s richest win was for a purse of $22,000 in a Fillies & Mares Invitational at Hoosier Park in 2011.
Northfield Park hosted the fourth leg of Ohio Sires Stake racing action for three-year-old fillies as part of its 14-race program. Trotters and pacers each competed in one division.
The trotters started the stakes action in the evening’s eighth race. Contessa Leigh (Full Count-Howl-Overcomer) bested her competition by a five and three-quarter lengths in her $35,000 stakes event. The race marked Contessa Leigh’s 12 win in 15 lifetime starts and increased her current win-streak to five. Chip Noble piloted the filly for Northfield Park Wall of Fame trainer Marty Wollam, who co-owns the filly with G&B Racing.
Contessa Leigh started from post one. Noble sent her straight to the lead and never experienced an anxious moment at any point of the mile. She posted fractions of :28.4, :59.1, 1:29.1 and 1:58.1. Friday’s victory pushed Contessa Leigh’s bankroll to $199,586. Finishing behind Contessa Leigh were Diplomats Mistress, Mitey Pretty Win, Sheza Lavec, Miss Lulu Belle, Trainer Dunn, Coverlet, MJs Victory Wish and TTs Megapixel. Contessa Leigh was the overwhelming favourite and returned $2.10 to win.
The pacers completed the evening’s stakes action in the 10th race. Igottafeelinfran captured the $35,000 fourth leg. Dan Noble drove the filly for trainer Jim Dailey and owners Jerry Zosel, Kathy Ratcliff and Kimberly Dailey.
Igottafeelinfran (Feelin Friskie-Fran Anna-Expensive Scooter) started from post seven. Noble sent the filly hard from the start and she was parked through a :27 opening quarter. Igottafeelinfran cleared to the lead approaching the half and continued leading through fractions of :55.2, 1:24.2 and 1:53.4, winning by three-quarters of a length.
The win was the eighth in 22 career starts and bolstered Igottafeelinfran’s bankroll to $160,340. Finishing in succession after the winner were Pink Camo, Two Friskie, Norma Jean, Rain Dance Maggy, One Naughty Lady, CG Satin, Cheat Sheet, Forever La Nigh and CGs Serious. Igottafeelinfran paid $5.20 to win.
Northfield Park announced the addition of a $7,500 Pick 5 total pool guarantee to Monday’s (August 26) program. Beginning in race three, the $7,500 Pick 5 guaranteed total pool includes a carryover of $1,562.91. Northfield’s Pick 5, Pick 4 and the Pick 3’s offer a reduced takeout rate of 14 per cent.
Monday’s post time is 6:30 p.m.
(With files from Northfield Park)