With favourite Cuz She Can (Mark MacDonald) making an early miscue multiple ladies battled for the front end position in the $36,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace on Friday night at Mohawk Racetrack, but in the end it was Miss Scarlett who prevailed giving Rick Zeron a driving hat trick
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Pink Kangaroo (Steve Condren) reached up to claim the lead before the :26.2 opening quarter ahead of Miss Scarlett, but a parked out Quail Seelster (Luc Ouellette) swooped up for a brief appearance on the front. Heading to the :54.2 halfway point, Zeron gave his charge the signal and Miss Scarlett advanced to the lead. The 9/2 second choice faced a challenge from Arts Diva (Paul MacDonell) past three-quarters in 1:22.4, but Miss Scarlett pressed on for the victory in 1:51.2, holding off a late closing Quail Seelster, who finished half a length behind in second. Arts Diva was third in a photo finish with Pink Kangaroo.
Trained by Rousell MacKenzie for owners Charles, Julie, and Francene Nash of Lexington, Kentucky, Miss Scarlett scored her sixth win of the year in 24 starts lifting her earnings over the $100,000 plateau. The four-year-old Red River Hanover-Odds On J P mare notched her 11th lifetime triumph and pushed her total earnings over the $400,000 mark.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click here.