'Alexis' Pulls 41-1 Shocker In Saugeen

The Saugeen Claiming Series for pacing fillies and mares began on Wednesday evening at Hanover Raceway with a big surprise coming in the third and final $7,000 division.

Driven by Bruce Richardson, Wicked Fast was a gate-to-wire winner in the first event, hanging on by a nose to deliver on his pari-mutuel promise in a time of 1:58.1. Pocket-sitter Grayland Curious (Ryan Holliday) nearly the nipped the winner at the wire while Flames Best (Thomas Smith) finished one length back in third.

The four-year-old Million Dollar Cam-Libbys Fame homebred, who has won half of her eight starts this year, is trained by Vicki Gregg, who also co-owns with Beth and Steven Gregg of Cargill, Ont.

Eds Last Stand, the 4-1 second choice, survived a first over journey in the second division and wore down favourite Modern Star (Travis Henry) to win by half a length in 1:58. Lexis Mandy (James Tropea) finished third.

Bob McClure drove the seven-year-old Camotion-Cassandra Tario mare to her third win in 10 seasonal starts for owner-trainer Alice Tilker.

Four-year-old Royal Mattjesty-Lady Emery mare Dreamfair Alexis overcame early interference and rallied three-wide from the back of the pack past the third quarter mark to come on for the 1:59.2 triumph in the third division, producing a 41-1 surprise. Nicaroo (Stuart Sowerby) finished one length behind while pacesetter and favourite Midwest Terror (Mark Etsell) ended up third.

Trained by Kathryn Cochrane, who co-owns with London's Besterd Racing, Dreamfair Alexis earned her second win from 13 outings this year.