Stash It Away and driver Mark Haig led all the way in the $8,000 Walter Dale Invitational Pace on Friday, July 28 at New Brunswick's Woodstock Raceway.
Leaving from post two in the featured finale, the 1-2 favourite Stash It Away was quickest off the gate, crossing to command in the first turn with insider Emperor (Jeff Lewis) hot on his heels through a :28.4 opening quarter.
As Stash It Away took the field of five to the half in :57.1, a gapped out Pick A Genre (Michael Downey) reeled in the top two and went first-over.
Stash It Away began to open up on top down the backstretch the final time with Emperor starting to tire in the two-hole, but Pick A Genre continued to advance outside, making it to the leader's wheel by three-quarters in 1:26.2.
However, Stash It Away kept that rival at bay as he turned for home then held off Mantario (Chris Davies) as that one surged through at the pylons down the lane. Stash It Away scored in 1:55 flat over a 'good' track, prevailing by three-quarters of a length over Mantario, with Pick A Genre third. Therealprincess (Sam Hodgin) was fourth with Emperor fading to fifth.
Kevin MacLean trains Stash It Away, who now sports a seasonal summary reading 3-4-1 from a dozen starts, for owner Reginald MacPherson of Stratford, P.E.I. The four-year-old Pang Shui gelding notched his 17th career win in his 50th start and lifted his bankroll to nearly $130,000. He paid $3 to win.
In other action, Elm Grove Quest took the $2,500 Winners Over Pace in 1:57.2 after tracking stablemate J J Breanne (John Davidson) in the pocket. The favoured four-year-old daughter of Rollwithitharry closed inside to prevail in a three-across finish, edging out the oncoming Joe C One Fiveoh (Sam Hodgin) with J J Breanna settling for third. Allan Jones trains and shares ownership of the winner with Normand Leger of Shediac, N.B.
To view Friday's complete harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodstock Raceway NB.