The Richard Moreau-trained Ferrari Sena scored an authoritative three and a quarter length victory to complete the sweep of the Girls' Night Out Pacing Series on Friday at Mohawk Racetrack.
After winning in each of the preliminary legs, Ferrari Sena and driver Sylvain Filion set a 1:50.4 stakes record in the $43,100 final for owner Serge Nadeau of Scott, Que.
Back Yard Baby (Randy Waples) was quickest to the front from post nine as she reached the first quarter mark in :27-seconds. Jonsie Jones (Rick Zeron) was still parked on the outside from post 10 and cleared to the front before the :54.3 mid-way point.
Cards That Count (Anthony MacDonald) began the first-over attack while providing cover to favourite Ferrari Sena. Jonsie Jones and Cards That Count matched strides just before three-quarters, but Filion angled Ferrari Sena three-wide and cleared to the lead past that mark in 1:22.3 before dashing away from their 11 rivals to score a comfortable victory. Back Yard Baby finished second over Hat Trick Honey (Jody Jamieson).
“She’s a nice mare and she can do it both ways, on the front or from behind,” Filion said following the win. “The horses were leaving pretty hard today and my only concern was getting locked in from post 11. She exploded down the lane and I wasn’t really concerned about the others.”
The five-year-old daughter of Bolero Master enjoyed her 20th career victory and lifted her bankroll to $132,861. The pacing miss has a 5-4-2 record from 11 starts this season.
She paid $3 to win.
The series is for four-year-old mares that are non-winners of $30,000 in 2013 as of June 30, 2013. Winners over $100,000 in 2012 are not eligible.
Last year was the inaugural edition of the Girls' Night Out Pacing Series, which was won by Gracie Montana.
In other action for pacing mares, Shelliscape went from 10th to first in this week’s $30,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace in rein to Steve Condren for trainer Bob McIntosh.
The four-year-old Artiscape mare prevailed in 1:50.4 with a :26.3 final frame over the late-closing Mach A Wish (Rick Zeron) while popular pacesetter Voelz Hanover (Randy Waples), who was on top through fractions of :25.4, :54.3 and 1:22.4, finished third.
The 10-time career winner, who paid $35.40 for the upset victory, is owned by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. of Windsor, Ont. along with Ohio's C S X Stables and Dm Stables LLC.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.
(With files from WEG)