Ontario shipper wins first Alberta Preferred

Sunshineatthebeach (Sunshine Beach), who moved to Alberta from Ontario in August, won her first top-level harness racing contest in Western Canada in the Fillies and Mares Preferred at Century Mile on Friday (Sep. 29).

The mare raced third in the field of six for veteran driver John Glen as heavy favourite Stash The Cookies (Michael Hennessy) lead the way through the first three splits of :26.4, :55.2, and 1:24.3.

Stash The Cookies turned for home with a three-length advantage with Sunshineatthebeach maintaining the gap from third. Sunshineatthebeach kicked into gear as they neared home, and she vaulted past Stash The Cookies with a late rush to win the feature in 1:53.2.

Stash The Cookies held second. Senga Nightmare (Ryan Grundy) finished third.

SUNSHINEATTHEBEACH REPLAY

Sunshineatthebeach shipped to Alberta for new owner 8113564 Canada Ltd. in early August after spending 10 months in Ontario. The mare, now trained by Donna Sarin, has 21-for-151 lifetime and has earned $276,431. Her victory on Friday came as a 6-1 upset.

Century Mile racing will continue on Friday, Oct. 6.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink