Preservata up in time at Assiniboia

Preservata, closing strongly under Tyrone Nelson, ran down Miss Missile and Alacazar to take the $30,000 La Verendrye at Assiniboia Downs on Wednesday night. The winning margin was three-quarters of a length with Alcazar battling gamely to edge Miss Missile by a neck for second in the six-furlong feature for fillies and mares.

Miss Missile, the 2-5 favorite, suffered her first defeat at Assiniboia in her seventh local appearance. She was Manitoba's champion 3-year-old filly last year.

Cherokee Beauty led throughout the opening quarter and dueled on until late in the stretch before finishing fourth. Polynesian Kitty, the top older female in the province last year, was fifth in the field of eight.

A Florida-bred 4-year-old who is owned and trained by Clint Willson, Preservata ran her record to 4-for-4 at Assiniboia Downs and recorded her second win in as many starts this season. Preservata returned $24.90 and combined with 35-1 Alacazar for a $182.30 quinella and a $394.90 exacta.

The handle for the nine-race program was $219,067.