Lady With A Weapon set a new Leamington Raceway track record for aged pacing mares on Sunday afternoon (September 18).
The nine-year-old grey pacing mare's weapon of choice on Sunday was pure speed as she fired out to the lead from the start and carved out fractions of :28, :57.3 and 1:28 en route to the one-length victory in 1:57.1 over pocket-pursuer Big Diva. Southwind Illusion rounded out the top three finishers over four lengths behind.
The former divisional track record of 1:57.3 was held by Taylorlane Fancy.
Tyler Borth drove favoured Lady With A Weapon ($5.60), who was making her debut from the Michael Carther stable in the afternoon's sixth race for $6,000 claiming mares. The daughter of Gunthatwonthewest is owned by Kimberly Carther of Corunna, Ont.
The victory was the mare's third from 25 starts this year and 21st win overall, pushing her career bankroll close to $90,000.
Coming into the seventh week of the current meet, driver Mark MacQuarrie was tied with Donnie Rankin with 11 wins, but by the end of the day, MacQuarrie jumped out to a two-win advantage.
Starting in the second race, MacQuarrie wired the field with Squirt ($3.80) in 1:59.2 for trainer Howard Dinning and owner Barb Dinning of Harrow, Ont. In the third race, MacQuarrie once again popped eyes with his stable's two-year-old track record holder Homey Joe ($2.10), winning by by lengths in 2:01.3. The son of Hes Gorgeous-Give The Gift has now won three in a row for Angus MacQuarrie of Inverness, N.S. MacQuarrie's third win occurred in the featured Kingsville BIA Pace aboard Blissful Years ($3.70) in 1:59.4 for trainer Gabriella Sasso and owner Don Leschied of South Woodslee, Ont.
Following the races, MacQuarrie said that he was was thankful for the confidence trainers were now placing in him, and he was humbled by their support.
Next week, Leamington will host Apple Day as the area celebrates a bumper crop of apples. Post time is 1:30 p.m.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.
(With files from Leamington Raceway)