Georgian: P L Jill defends Earl Rowe Invitational crown

P L Jill was the winner of the C$75,000 Earl Rowe Invitational for older trotters for the second straight year, taking the 2020 edition that occurred on Sunday night at Georgian Downs in 1:53 2/5.

Starting from the outside post nine, P L Jill left for driver Mike Saftic and parked well past the 27 second opening quarter to take the lead away from Perfetto (Dagfin Henriksen). After getting control of the race, P L Jill kept the tempo hot, hitting the half in 54 4/5 and the three-quarters in 1:23 4/5.

In the lane P L Jill was challenged first by a two-wide Perfetto, and when he drifted out some, Free Willy Hanover (Jonathan Drury) found room and had trot. P L Jill was determined, though, and got to the wire a head to the good. Free Willy Hanover was second, with Perfetto third, Musical Rhythm (Mario Baillargeon) fourth and Mass Fortune K (J.R. Plante) fifth.

A 7-year-old mare by Kadabra, P L Jill is trained by Ben Baillargeon for co-owner/breeder Prince Lee Acres and co-owners Jill Coleman and Alan Christensen. This was P L Jill's 31st career victory, and she has now earned C$614,193. She was the 3-1 second choice and paid $8.00 to win.