Sent the 3-2 favourite, Top Royal swept to the front past the half and held firm to win the $8,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred 3 Pace at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Tuesday (March 3).
Phoos Girl led the field to a :29.3 first quarter with Southwind Ion settling into the pocket. Driver J Harris angled Top Royal first over from fourth and rushed towards the pacesetter to stick a nose in front past a :59.1 half. The seven-year-old Royal Mattjesty mare cleared command into the backstretch as the backfield spread across the track towards three-quarters in 1:28.2. Lifelong Dream charged widest of all into the final turn, rallying from the centre of the course into the stretch to only give pursuit to Top Royal as she hit the finish with a two-length advantage in a 1:59.1 mile. Southwind Ion finished third.
Owned by Brydown Farms Inc., Top Royal won her second race from seven starts this season and her 30th from 137 overall, earning $248,344. Randy Henry conditions the $3.10 winner.