Freshman pacers strutted their stuff in four divisions of the Williamson Memorial Stake –- two for the girls and two for the boys -- during the Monday afternoon program at Fredericton Raceway, and fans were treated to a record-setting performance.
Dusty Lane Bria toured the oval in 1:59.4 to become the fastest two-year-old filly pacer in the history of the half-miler. She erased the former mark of 2:00 set by K R Quest in 1997.
Despite suffering interference after the start, Dusty Lane Bria and Kenny Arsenault marched to the top and carved out panels of :28.3, :59.2 and 1:29.3 before using a :30.1 closing quarter to win by three lengths over Jann Down. Third prize went to Woodmere Dancenart.
It was the fifth win of the season in six tries for the homebred daughter of Ameripan Gigolo-Briannas Attitude who is owned by her trainer, Kenneth Glen Wilkie, and Larry Chappell. She’s stashed away earnings in excess of $18,000 to date.
Miss Oromocto is now a perfect 3-for-3 thanks to her 2:01.4 triumph in the second division for the fillies. The daughter of Driven To Win-Zbojnicka sat fourth to the quarter pole before brushing to the top and laying down middle fractions of 1:01.4 and 1:31.4. A :30-second closing quarter was more than enough to earn her the win by three-lengths over Swift Taylor in 2:01.4. Casa Miasa was third.
Mark Haig guided the Melvin Land trainee – who finished with broken equipment – to the win. Land shares ownership on the winner of $6,735 with Sharon Burchill.
BNGs Express captured the first division for the colts and geldings, and he did so in an impressive manner for trainer/driver Danny Romo. The son of Ameripan Gigolo-Pantagram threw down panels of :30.3, 1:02.1 and 1:32.2 in the $6,000 tilt before stepping home in :30.2 en route to the four-length score over Pictonian Basil in 2:02.4. R Es Aiden was third.
Sent off as the 3-5 favourite, BNGs Express won for the first time in five tries for owner/breeder Thomas Hawco, Jr. and partner George Della Valle. He’s stashed away more than $6,000 to date.
Proven Desire also celebrated a maiden-breaking win thanks to his 1:59.2 triumph in the second division. Trainer/driver Marc Campbell hustled him to the front from Post 4 and the youngster wheeled through fractions of :29.2, 1:00.2 and 1:29.2 before scooting home in a :30-second clip en route to the win by 9-1/4 lengths over Dixieland Band. Camco Titan took home the show dough.
The victory pushed the son of Proven Lover-Shark Like Lady’s bankroll over $10,000 for partners Blair Hansen, Meghan MacDonald and John Thomas. The victory improved his record to 1-1-3 from six starts.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Fredericton Raceway.