A winner in the top mares class two weeks ago, four-year-old Prairie Illusion faced a field full of male pacers in this week's $10,500 Open at Fraser Downs on Friday night and continued her win streak.
Scott Knight catch-drove the Mach Three mare for trainer/owner William Young of Langley, B.C.
Inheriting the inside post position with fellow mare Village Janus scratched sick, Prairie Illusion was out-sprinted off the gate as favourite Sterling Cooper (David Hudon) left just to her outside over the sloppy track.
Sterling Cooper set up shop on the front end with Prairie Illusion and trailing tier starter Gotta Have Nukes (Rich White) holding position along the pylons in second and third through fractions of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:24.3.
Meanwhile, defending class champion Red Star Tyson (Brad Watt) advanced from fourth to apply first over pressure with Cantbeatacheetah (Jim Marino) following his cover.
As the field turned for home, Prairie Illusion and 29-1 longshot Gotta Have Nukes zipped up the passing lane with the former prevailing by one length over the latter in 1:54 flat. Sterling Cooper finished two lengths behind in third while Cantbeatacheetah and Red Star Tyson rounded out the top five finishers.
Prairie Illusion paid $12.50 to win as 5-1 third choice in the field of eight. She has now won three races in a row and boasts 18 top three finishes (11 wins) in 20 seasonal starts. Lifetime, the consistent mare has won one third of her 60 starts and is closing in on $150,000 in earnings.
Young enjoyed a perfect night as the races as he also won an earlier race with his only other starter on the card, another repeat winner in pacing gelding Crown Isle.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.