The province’s finest, freshman fillies paced over
Cheesy Smile, who the public felt was the one to beat in her $102,200 division, rallied for a narrow triumph in a sharp clocking of 1:53.4 for the duo of driver Bob McClure and trainer John Pentland.
The daughter of Betterthancheddar-Frame Worthy got away fourth in the early going while Starlight Dancer muscled to the lead and hung up an opening quarter clocked in :28. Beca Mitchell fired out of the three-hole as the field entered the backstretch, and she quickly accelerated to the top.
Beca Mitchell hit the half in :55.4 before coming under heavy pressure around the final turn from Charming Vixen. That foe showed a short lead while racing parked past the three-quarter pole in 1:25.1, but she couldn’t sustain her drive to the line. Cheesy Smile edged off the rail around the final turn and then used a :28.2 closing quarter to win by a neck over Freshen Up. Starlight Dancer shook loose late to be third.
Pentland shares ownership on the youngster with Cindy Molyneux, Peter Charlton and Archie Leach. She’s two-for-two to start her career, and she’s now managed to stash away earnings of $59,100. She was $38,000 purchase from last fall’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
Big Big Plans fought bravely in deep stretch and held on for a narrow triumph in her $101,300 division for driver Trevor Henry.
The daughter of All Bets Off-Somethinincredible slid into an early five-hole while Virtual Kiss pushed to the lead and had the field chasing her past the quarter pole in :28.3. There were three lead changes in the backstretch as Ima Doll, Lyons Bettorday and then Big Big Plans took turns passing the baton to one another before Big Big Plans secured the top and hit the half in :57.3.
Big Big Plans led the group to the three-quarter pole in 1:26.3 and then used a :27.4 final quarter to win by a nose over a race favourite Lyons Bettorday. Birdie Three rounded out the Trifecta ticket. Time for the mile was 1:54.2.
Robert Mcintosh Stables Inc, Mardon Stables and Dave Boyle bred and own the freshman who owns a 1-0-1 record from just two starts. To date, she’s racked up $52,570 in earnings.
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results –