Unique Legacy turned in an impressive two-move effort in scoring a mild upset in Monday night's $57,300 Town Pro Pacing Series Final for three-year-old fillies at Mohawk Racetrack in 1:52.2.
Mark MacDonald called on the filly's early speed for the first time in her young career and the daughter of Real Desire - Unique X Ample shot to the early lead from Post 6 before yielding to Lola Palooza (Jody Jamieson) in the first panel of :26.3.
Meanwhile, the race favourite Go Get Her (Jack Moiseyev) had landed in fifth position and waited for things to settle before being sent up to challenge for the lead. That daughter of Western Hanover took command just past an opening half of :55 seconds.
As the field raced towards three-quarters, Autumn Magic (Rick Zeron), a winner in both preliminary legs, made a move out from fourth and challenged the pacesetter through three panels in 1:24.1. The top pair battled until the top of the stretch before Autumn Magic began to give way, allowing Unique Legacy clearance to move to the outside.
Once clear, the filly fired to the lead and widened her advantage to 2-1/4 lengths at the end. Lola Palooza rallied to pick up the place spot with Roxanna Hanover (Keith Oliver) charging through late to pick up the show spot. Go Get Her faltered to finish sixth and afterwards driver Jack Moiseyev said the filly just did not feel like herself at the half.
"She is a real nice filly, she showed her true potential tonight," said driver Mark MacDonald. "She was sick her last couple of starts, and they did the work on her and got her healthy for the final. I thought I'd be a bit more aggressive with her tonight. I've been just taking her off the gate because in her last couple because she just wasn't right. I thought maybe I'd try and put her more into the race tonight. I tried to sit in behind Jack [Moiseyev driving race favourite Go Get Her] and it worked out."
Monday's victory was the sixth of the campaign in just eight starts for the Casie Coleman trainee and was a new lifetime mark for the filly who is owned by Bob Hamather of Exeter, Ontario. The lion's share of the purse increased her career total to just over $70,000.
(WEG)
To view Monday's results, click here.