Manhattan Night new Preferred queen

Manhattan Night brought Sly Eleanor N’s two-race reign over the Georgian Downs Preferred level to an end in the Saturday renewal of the class.

Manhattan Night was the first to withdraw from a three-wide speed duel at the start, dropping back to third for Travis Henry on the first turn. Casimir Swamp Girl (Colin Kelly) took command briefly as the field of five became single file after the quarter mile in :26.1, but Sly Eleanor N (Jean Rene Plante) popped out on the front straight and pursued the lead again. Casamir Swamp Girl and she matched strides passing the half in :54 with Manhattan Night sitting patiently on their backs.

Henry swung Manhattan Night three-wide as they angled into the final turn and besieged new leader Sly Eleanor N at three-quarters in 1:23.1. Sly Eleanor expended the last of her energy at headstretch but could only watch Manhattan Night roll by and take the victory in 1:53.2. So Frisky (Anthony Haughan) and Queso Relleno (Austin Sorrie) finished second and third, respectively, as they passed the tired early battlers.

Anita Ouellette trains and co-owns Manahttan Night, a five-year-old daughter of Dali, with her husband Luc Ouellette. They reside in Campbellville. The mare has earned $150,929 and won 16 times in 57 career starts.

Also on the card, trainer Randy Jarvis picked up his first victory of the season in race nine. His Forego The Cigar scored his first victory as a 14-year-old in the contest, a $7,000 conditioned claimer, completing it in 1:55.2. The horse, a Western Terror gelding, is 40-for-173 lifetime and broke the quarter-million-dollar barrier in earnings with the win. Dave Kennedy of Collingwood owns.

Georgian Downs continues its weekend schedule with a card on Sunday, Jul. 4. Another Preferred contest kicks off nine races at 6:00 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink