A stakes-packed program of racing featured two- and three-year-old pacing fillies in action on Saturday afternoon at Grande Prairie and it was a day of favourites as the popular ladies delivered in each of their respective assignments
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Freshmen fillies started the action as they took to the track in three $20,000 Northern Lights Sales Stake divisions and lowered the track record.
In the first special non-wagering division, Minettasluckycharm converted a pocket trip into a 2:02.1 victory. The daughter of Brandons Cowboy-Lucky X Ample, who is now two-for-two, prevailed by a length and three-quarters over W Jean (Bill Tainsh, Jr.) and pacesetter Cigarchompin Mona (Gerry Hudon). Minettasluckycharm, an ABSS Alberta Starlet divisional winner, bumped her earnings to $17,418 with the triumph for trainer Mike Hennessy and the S S G Stables of North Boston, New York.
In the second split, Bahama Bay Bea breezed to a new track record of 2:00.4 with her wire-to-wire romp. Also an Alberta Starlet winner, the Rescue Me-Bay Bea Sign filly kept her record untarnished in two starts when she prevailed by four and three-quarter lengths over Wrangler Raine (Rene Goulet) and Westwood Cowgirl (Bill Tainsh, Jr.). The time of the mile erased the former record of 2:01.1 held by Double L Hot Trap and Westwood Cowgirl. Richard Schneider trains and owns the winner of $17,568 with Dick Schneider of Sherwood Park and David Halmosi of Edmonton, Alta.
Crush On Clinton tied the new 2:00.4 track record in the final division for trainer/driver Brandon Campbell and owners Allan Neurauter of High River and Debbie Campbell of Calgary, Alta. The daughter of Clintons Cigar-Demi Hall, now two-for-five with $20,057 banked, was a three and a half length wire-to-wire winner. Gypsy Woman (Brian Gray) finished second but was placed third for making a break at the wire. As a result, third-placer finisher MLF Boumystic (John Chappell) inherited the runner-up spot.
Sophomore fillies also competed in a trio of $16,666 Bev Sears Classic Sales Stake divisions.
Jennas Pass front-stepped her way to a 1:57.3 victory with Ron Graham in the bike for trainer Joseph O’Brien. Owned by the Battle River Stables and Tim McCoy of Edmonton, Alta., the daughter of Freedoms Pass-Presidential Jenna scored her fourth win in 12 tries giving her $32,062 in earnings on the year. Gts Lady Katy (Allan Tracey) finished a length and three quarters back in second and Barona Hush (Brent Grundy) completed the triactor.
A winner of ABSS Alberta Diamond and Alberta Marquise divisions, A Special Lady returned to the winner’s circle after wiring the field in the second division. Driven by Bill Tainsh, Jr., the daughter of As Promised-Southwind Holley stopped the clock in 1:57.4. Red Star Bytheway (Jamies Gray) finished three lengths behind and Perfect Summer (Gerry Hudon) was back in third. Unraced at two, A Special Lady now sports seven wins on her record in 21 starts. She has earned $75,324 for owners Gord Remmen of Campbellville, Ont., Gord Rumpel of Calgary and Dr. Maurice Stewart of Leduc, Alta.
The final split went to Lady And Thetrench and trainer/driver Keith Clark, who used front-end tactics to win by three and three-quarter lengths in 1:58.3. Arielle Pass (Jamie Gray) and Renata M (Gerry Hudon) finished second and third. The daughter of Armbro Trench-Cambests Lady, who won ABSS Alberta Princess and Alberta Diamond divisions earlier this season, has won six of her 11 starts earning $40,987 this year. Clark shares ownership with Pat Elynuik and John Hind of Calgary, Alta.
After finishing second to Weekend Bernie in his previous two Open events, Neal Diamonique was finally able to enjoy the spotlight this afternoon.
In the $11,500 top pace, Neal Diamonique sat fifth through the opening panels of :28 and :56.2, which were put up by Weekend Bernie (Mike Hennessy), before advancing first-over past three-quarters in 1:25.4. The four-year-old son of Real Desire-Diamonique Mindale sprinted home in :29.1 to prevail by two and three-quarter lengths in 1:55.4. Weekend Bernie stayed for second and Barona Grizzly (Brandon Campbell) finished third.
Edward Dhoedt and Ernest Greenwood of St. Albert, Alta. own the Lance Ward trainee, who earned his second win in 20 seasonal starts giving him $31,534 in earnings. The 12-time career winner has earned a total of $261,978 to date.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click here.