A pair of Preferred events headlined Saturday night's program of racing at Hiawatha Horse Park and offered some suprises for the betting public
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Driven by Don Rankin, Jr., 5-1 third choice Fa Mulan brushed to command from the two-hole after the opening quarter and trotted on to claim the winner’s share of the $11,000 purse in the Preferred 2 Trot. The four-year-old mare by Berndt Hanover out of Orianna Seelster won by three and a half lengths in a season’s best 1:58.4 over a track rated ‘good’.
Early leader Were Rolling (John Kovacs) finished second while Theshowisfree (Gene Piroski) recovered from an early miscue and rallied off second-over cover to get third. Favourite Sy (Brad Forward) could not recoup from his break in stride and finished last.
Richard Griffiths handles the training for owners Ming K and Irene Siu of Richmond, B.C. Fa Mulan notched her fifth win of the year in 19 starts and 15th lifetime giving her $142,594 in earnings.
Savor The Memory (Don Rankin, Jr.) set the tempo in the $11,000 Preferred 2 Pace with Stonebridge Magnum (Danny Johnson) applying heavy pressure on the outside for o=most of the mile. Meanwhile, U Know Ugot It had worked his way from eighth to fifth and was ready to pounce in the stretch. Driven by Robert Sparling, Jr., the son Rambaran-Armbro Rigmarole kicked home late for the 10-1 upset in 1:55.4.
Resessitate (Glen Hardy) finished a length and three-quarters behind in second and Stonebridge Magnum was third over the pacesetter.
Trainer Robert Sparling shares ownership of the winner with Dorchester’s Kevin Peck. U Know Ugot It scored his fifth victory(second consecutive) of the season in 23 outings and 14th of his career. The seven-year-old gelding now sports a bankroll totaling $147,786.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click here.