Exquisite Alberta Equals Grand River Track Record

Exquisite Alberta waited in fifth place in the early going before taking down her rivals in the $10,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 Pace in a track record equalling performance in her return to Grand River Raceway on Wednesday night

.

A winner and runner-up in the Elora class in mid-May, Exquisite Alberta returned after finding success at Western Fair Raceway and picking up a cheque at Mohawk Racetrack. She drew into Wednesday's sixth contest following the scratch of Windsun Rachel and driver Doug McNair sent the Wayne Preszcator pupil after Sammy Syd (Mike Whelan), who laid down early fractions of :26.1 and :55.1. The seven-year-old Albert Albert-Exquisite Killean mare collared the leader at the third quarter station in 1:24.4 and then opened up a three and a half length lead in the stretch as she kicked home in :28.3 for the career-best 1:53.2 triumph, tying the track record for aged pacing mares set by Lady Latte on Industry Day 2010. Racy Gal Hanover (James McClure) and Sans Frontiere (Marie Claude Auger) came on for second and third.

The post time favourite paid $5.60 to win, earning her third win in her last five starts for owner Shawn Dixon of London, Ont. The 19-time career winner now sports a bankroll of $161,963.

Seven of tonight’s 12 winners enjoyed new personal bests with three season records and four new career marks.

For results from Wednesday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Grand River Raceway.