Thatll Be Franny was a driving away winner in Tuesday’s $10,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 for pacers, and in the process she celebrated a money milestone.
The 10-year-old daughter of Thatll Be Me-Little Franny visited the winner’s circle for the 20th time in her career, and the lion’s share of the loot lifted her earnings over $200,000.
Nick Steward got away fifth with Thatll Be Franny while Royal Cover Up shot to the top and chopped out fractions of :27.1, :56 and 1:25.1. Thatll Be Franny worked out a second-over trip behind race favourite Twilight Seelster, and when Steward called on his charge to sprint in the late stages she had no problem complying. Her :29.4 kicker helped propel her to the 1-3/4 length score over Royal Cover Up in 1:55.4. Third prize was earned by Make Some Memories.
Ken Gowan trains the veteran for owner Audrey Crawford of Wallacetown, Ontario. The win improved the distaffer’s 2014 record to 2-2-1 from seven trips to the track.
Machleen was a wire-to-wire winner in the $7,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3 later on the card for driver Trevor Henry, who celebrated a five-win performance. The Mark Austin pupil sped through splits of :28, :57.4 and 1:26.2 before roaring home in :29.2 to win by three lengths in 1:55.4. Russian Kisses was next best, with Insincerity grabbing the show dough.
Sent off at odds of 1-2, the five-year-old daughter of Mach Three-Aileens Luck won for the second time this season and for the 12th time in her career. The homebred is just shy of $200,000 in lifetime earnings.
As for Henry, he also registered wins with Mattjestic Light (1:58 – Race 1), Sharelife (1:57 – Race 2), Stonebridge Secret (1:58.1 – Race 4) and Laverns Art (1:56.3 – Race 7). The Arthur, Ontario resident continues to lead the nation with 155 victories this season.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Western Fair.