by Greg Blanchard, WEG media

Toronto, ON — It was survival of the fittest in Monday night’s (Dec. 28) C$60,000 Niagara Pacing Series Final for 3-year-old fillies at Woodbine Racetrack and, in the end, it was Queenies Alibi posting a big upset for driver Jason Brewer in 1:57.4.

New Image Media photo

Queenies Alibi closed on the outside to win the Niagara Pacing Series Final.

On what was a cold and windy night at Woodbine, Queenies Alibi sat well off the pace in the field of 10 and watched as Allamerican Tout, Thrillionaire and Mid-Western Jatelo exchanged leads through the first half of :57.1.

The latter took the field past three-quarters in 1:25.1 and braced for challengers as the field turned into the teeth of a fierce headwind in the homestretch.

Mid-Western Jatelo held on bravely as Allamerican Tout and Thrillionaire were unable to re-rally. In the meantime, Queenies Alibi was beginning to close on the far outside with Another Dawn, who drew in off of the also eligible list, weaving her way through traffic and gaining along the inside.

It came down to a three-horse photo at the finish with Queenies Alibi prevailing by a head over Another Dawn. Mid-Western Jatelo managed to salvage the show spot. In winning, Queenies Alibi returned $46.50.

The runner-up was 62-1 on the tote board and helped engineer a triactor payoff of $7,991.20 and a whopping superfecta return of $32,519.90.

The win was the fourth in 30 starts this season for the daughter of His Alibi-Electric Cam Queen and boosted her earnings to just over C$68,000 for owner-trainer Don Eash of Greenfield, Indiana.