from Standardbred Canada

Campbellville, ON — After sharing the victory in her Armbro Flight Stakes elimination for older trotting mares last weekend with O’Brien Award winner China Pearls, Pembroke Heat Wave claimed sole ownership of the stakes trophy on Saturday (June 16) at Mohawk.

Frenchfrysnvinegar (Jody Jamieson) motored off the gate from post nine in the C$376,000 final and established an early two length lead over China Pearls (Randy Waples) and Pembroke Heat Wave, with catch-driver Brian Sears in the sulky, during the :27.2 opening quarter. The other elimination winner, Action-Broadway (Doug McNair), and Jersey As (Tim Tetrick), broke stride before the race resulting in a pari-mutuel refund on both mares.

As Frenchfrysnvinegar stole a second quarter breather to the half in :57.4, Pembroke Heat Wave launched her attack and applied heavy pressure as the mares headed into the final turn. Frenchfrysnvinegar hit three-quarters in 1:26.2, but Pembroke Heat Wave edged out in front down the stretch.

The 5-1 shot then held off the second over Cedar Dove (Ron Pierce) to win in 1:54 while China Pearls slipped between horses to finish close behind in third.

Pembroke Heat Wave paid $11.50 to win. The 6-year-old Like A Prayer-Super Earl mare, who has banked C$414,141 to date, is trained by conditioner Gregg McNair for owner-breeder William Varney.