The photo finish camera was put to good use to determine the winner of Tuesday’s $16,000 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap at Harrington Raceway, and after close inspection it was Embassy Seelster prevailing by a nose.
Dan Rawlings mapped out the winning trip for Embassy Seelster, who got away fourth before coming first-over on the way to the half. Im Won Rum Wiser carved out panels of :27.4 and :57 to that point before engaging in battle with Embassy Seelster to the three-quarter pole in 1:25. Embassy Seelster’s :28.2 kicker was just enough to earn her the narrow victory over Im Won Rum Wiser in 1:53.3. Bo Tox Hanover was a lapped-on third.
Sent off as the even-money favourite, the Doug Lewis-trained five-year-old daughter of Modern Art-Espirit Seelster improved her 2015 record to 7-2-3 from 23 trips to the track. The 15-time winner pushed her lifetime earnings over $200,000 with the win.