Abby Best has been nothing but the best in each leg of the Erwin Andrew Memorial Series for aged pacing mares and tonight was no different as the eight-year-old daughter of Cambest-Armbro Seismic remained perfect in the $4,043 seventh and final preliminary leg held at Frederict
on Raceway.
Todd Trites sent the obvious favourite to the front of the field from an outside Post 5 start and the Angus MacLean owned and trained mare cruised through panels of :28.2, :57.2 and 1:27 while maintaining at least a two length lead on her four rivals. In the stretch, Abby Best held off a late charge from Princess Julia (Mike Downey) for the half-length score in 1:56.4 while Timeless Hanover (Stephen Trites) rounded out the top three.
Abby Best, who has set track records at Connell Park and Exhibition Park Raceway in previous Erwin Andrew legs, was two-fifths of a second off Fredericton's record for aged pacing mares set in 2007 by Howmacs Dragon.
This season Abby Best has compiled a record reading 13-2-1 in 17 starts earning $26,904 in purses. The winner of 28 races lifetime is just shy of $70,000 in career earnings. She is expected to return to action in Fredericton Saturday in the Chippin Memorial Pace. She will face the boys if she competes in that top class event, which will likely include Walter Dale Memorial champ All Star Dragon.
The $15,000 (est.) final of the Erwin Andrew Series is slated for Thursday, October 1 at Charlottetown Driving Park.
In other action, local owner/trainer Gary Beattie enjoyed the performance of his four-year-old gelding, Provoke Me. The son of Aces N Sevens-Bell Bay Halie captured the Bishop Memorial Pace in 2:00 with Sam Hodgin at the lines. The race is run in memory of former track announcer Gerald Bishop, his father Clowes, and other members of the Bishop family who contributed significantly to the Fredericton racing community over many years.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click here.
(With files from HRNB)