A set of $9,960 ‘A’ divisions of the Atlantic Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies went postward Saturday afternoon at Northside Downs, and there was plenty of drama in the first division.
Unapologetically was second under the finish line, but she was placed first when Emilys Angel was placed from first to fourth for causing an interference infraction to race favourite Howmac Sabrina going to the quarter pole.
Emilys Angel and Unapologetically battled to the quarter pole in :31.1 before Unapologetically asserted herself and claimed the lead. She proceeded to carve out middle panels of 1:00 and 1:30.1 before giving way to Emilys Angel. She kicked home in :29.3 and drew clear to win by three lengths over Unapologetically in 2:00. Cheeky Cherry was third and Howmac Sabrina finished fourth.
After careful examination of the replay, the judges found Emilys Angel guilty of causing interference to Howmac Sabrina before the quarter pole. Unapologetically was then placed first and earned a winning clocking of 2:00.3. Cheeky Cherry was third-placed-second with Howmac Sabrina fourth-placed-third in the six-filly affair.
Trainer/driver Marc Campbell watched Unapologetically improve her 2019 record to 2-2-4 from 14 starts. She’s banked more than $13,000 to date.
It was smooth sailing for Woodmere Oleksiak in the second division as she went to the lead and went on to post a gate-to-wire score in 1:58.3 for the tandem of driver David Dowling and trainer Earl Watts.
The daughter of Articulator-Oh Pretty Leigh led the group past the quarter pole in :29.2 before she came under heavy pressure from the parked out Arc Light at the half. Just a head separated those two at the half in :59.4, but Woodmere Oleksiak widened her lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:29 before using a :29.3 closing quarter to win by 2-3/4 lengths over Elm Grove Nellie. Im A Miracle was third.
Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, the filly improved her sophomore record to 5-3-0 from 12 starts – a far cry from the 0-3-3 record she manufactured from the same number of assignments. She’s now earned in excess of $35,000 to date.
To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Northside Downs.