A Maritime champion soaked up the spotlight at Fredericton Raceway. Malabrigo kept her undefeated sophomore record intact by capturing one of six divisions in the $6,300 Bill Quigg Memorial Stakes. Regular pilot, Marc Campbell guided the filly to the twelfth straight win of her sophomore campaign and tied a track record for three-year-old fillies in the process.
Malabrigo's performance in 1:57 equaled a standard set by Charlottes Best and Gilles Barrieau in 2002. Campbell's filly did exhibit a flair for the dramatic, especially for those horseplayers who sent her away as the favourite at fifteen cents on the dollar. Malabrigo was uncharacteristically relaxed in the early stages of the mile, getting away in fourth position. She was seemingly content to stay there. Campbell moved his charge to the outside just before the half and remained third until the top of the stretch.
It was there the daughter of Western Paradise kicked it into another gear, pacing away in a final quarter of 29.2 to win by three and a half lengths. The drive represented the picture of patience for young PEI-born driver Campbell, who never once seemed to show the pressure of keeping the win streak alive.
Campbell returned later in the 12-dash program to score with another filly in the Quigg. Independent Gal took a new mark of 1:58.4. The other filly winner was First Lady Of Art and Todd Trites in a new speed badge of 1:57.3. Both of these are trained by PEI-based horseman Earl Watts.
The fastest colt winner in the Quigg was First Art Down for Gilles Barrieau in a new record of 1:55.3. Other colt winners were Mr Thompson (Mike Stevenson) in 1:56.2 and Touch Of Lightning (Earl Smith) in 1:56.4.
Standardbred breeding was one of the major stories of the Quigg Memorial as the offspring of sire Articulator won five of the six divisions.
Mike Stevenson earned a driving triple on the program. In addition to the Quigg win with Mr Thompson, Stevenson clicked with Tahuya Riverdance in 2:00 and Magical Alex in 2:00.2.
Other winners on the card included Putnams Glory (Gilles Barrieau) in 1:59.4, The Streak (Todd Trites) in 1:59.3, Blue Man Group (Mike Barrieau) in 2:00.2, and Ideal Ticket (Gilles Barrieau) in 1:57.4.
The $7,500 Jennie and Joe Chippin Memorial is the feature race on Saturday's 16-dash program, wrapping up FREX Week 2012. Locally owned Joseph Michael has drawn post three in the race, and is one of the contenders at 7-2 on the morning line. Others in the seven horse field are Panmunjom, Wholly Louy, Arabica, Carnivore, All Turain and Balanchine.
Post time is 1 p.m.
(HRNB)
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Fredericton Raceway.