Riding the pocket, Alphabet Queen slipped past tiring leaders to narrowly win the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred 3 Handicap Pace at odds of 19-1 on Tuesday (Feb. 18) at The Raceway at Western Fair District.

Driver Austin Sorrie positioned the seven-year-old Vintage Master mare on the front before a :28.2 first quarter and soon yielded command to Barbies Belle entering the second turn. Woodmere Wyldstyle tracked the far-turn brush of the new leader but stalled first over moving to a :59.1 half with odds-on favourite Tilikum in tow.

Woodmere Wyldstyle hung wide of Barbies Belle moving to three-quarters in 1:28.4. Tilikum kicked off cover but promptly faltered as Lifelong Dream wound a late charge from last. Through the stretch Barbies Belle clung to command as Alphabet Queen slimmed through an opening inside of the pacesetter. Lifelong Dream launched down the centre of the track to pose a threat late but fell a half-length short of victory. Alphabet Queen hit the finish with a nose up on Barbies Belle in a 1:59.2 mile.

Co-owned by trainer Scott McNiven with Thomas Brodhurst, Alphabet Queen won her 17th race from 123 starts, earning $122,865. She paid $40.70 to win.

In the final race on the 10-race card, 13-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding Amazing Quest went gate to wire as the odds-on favourite to collect his 90th victory. Garett Rooney steered the $3.40 winner for owner-trainer George Robinson.