After multiple legs an many months of racing, the $14,343 final of the Erwin Andrew Memorial Aged Mares Pacing Series has been drawn and will be taking place Thursday
, October 1 at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Eight-year-old Cambest lass Abby Best has been flat-out dominant in the seven preliminary legs. The mare has won each and every one of the prelims, the majority of which were open-length decisions.
The career winner of 38 races and over $73,000 in purses has compiled a very solid 2009 season for owner/trainer Angus Maclean and a composite group of drivers, which includes Kenny Arsenault, Lewis MacDonell, Clare MacDonald, Greg Sparling and Todd Trites.
The mare's seasonal mark -- also her fastest career victory -- came in an Erwin Andrew prelim. With Clare MacDonald calling the shots, Abby Best left from Post 6, grabbed a hold of the lead before the three quarters and went on to record the win in 1:54.4, more than 12 lengths better than her closest rival.
Abby Best was sent off at odds of 8-1 in the final of the 2008 Erwin Andrew Memorial Series, but just missed hitting paydirt, as she finished just one quarter length in arrears of Howmacs Dragon in 1:56.4.
Abby Best has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favourite for Thursday's 12th dash from CDP. MacLean has called on the services of Trites to steer the lass in the eight-mare dash.
Princess Julia has been pegged as the second early choice. The four-year-old Pacific Fella mare will start from the rail with driver Earl Smith. The pair has been assessed at odds of 3-1.
Whitesand Whisper has been deemed the narrow 7-2 third early choice from Post 6. Marc Campbell will do the driving.
Click here to view Thursday's harness racing entries from the CPD.
To view a free program page for the final of the Erwin Andrew Memorial Aged Mares Pacing Series courtesy of TrackIT, click here
The Erwin Andrew Memorial Series is co-sponsored by Standardbred Canada, Meridian Farms and host racetracks. The series is for aged pacing mares that are Canadian sired and/or 100% Canadian owned.