Millies Million wins thrilling Manitoba Great Western Stake

Millies Million got up to win after taking the lead three times in the 73rd Manitoba Great Western Stake on Saturday at Miami Fair for her second harness racing stakes score in a row.

In line to Michel Rey, she was the quickest starter and eased into the front end as her three rivals entered the first turn side-by-side. Chase My Dust (Tyler Grundy) continued forward from that group and took the lead before finishing the first quarter mile in :30.1. Millies Million quickly stepped around Chase My Dust on the second turn and regained the top spot briefly before Promise Me A Win (Donald Howlett) brushed by at the half in 1:00.4.

Millies Million remained bottled up in the pocket as the group of four traveled to three-quarters in 1:31.1. Chase My Dust attempted a final quarter rally but retreated as they turned for home, allowing Millies Million to slide to the outside. Millies Million soared past a labouring Promise Me A Win in the stretch and denied Dawns Night Owl (Glenn LeDrew) in a 2:02 victory.

Dawns Night Owl, the only entrant not trained by Richard Rey, was short by a neck in second. Chase My Dust finished third. The winner paid $5.70.

MILLIES MILLION REPLAY

Millies Million, a sophomore daughter of Armbro Baylor, is trained by her owner, Richard Rey of St. Claude. The filly has won seven times and has earned $20,188 in 12 lifetime starts. She won the second leg of the Silk Lace in her last start and is two-for-two in that series.

The Manitoba Great Western Stake is regularly contested over two heats, but it became a single dash on this occasion due to only five horses entering the race. It was first contested in 1948.

Action will return to Miami Fair on Saturday, Aug. 14.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink