Pulled by a pink-hoofed pony – a nod to the night’s “Harness the Hope” breast cancer fundraiser – along a really muddy harness racing track, driver Kayla Mills raced to victory at the 2011 Powder Puff title at Fraser Downs.
The drivers in the Powder Puff derby are all women from the track who work as grooms, assistant trainers, and track workers.
Mills is a groom with the Keith Clark Stable.
Jennifer Hunt placed second. The other competitors in the non-wagering event were Ashley Ederer, Cherie Paskaruk, Sandra Roberts, Alina MacLeod, and Dana Lawrence.
Horses sport pink-coloured hooves for the occasion and racing equipment is also decorated with the colour, associated with the cause of finding a cure for breast cancer.
Harness the Hope March 4 featured a buffet dinner, dance, blackjack tournament, silent auction, guest speakers and more. Proceeds support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation BC Yukon.
The Powder Puff Pace raised $462 for the cause, and the evening raised approximately $6,000, not including the silent auction. A final tally was still being worked out at press deadline.
Organizers of the 2011 Harness the Hope would like to thank the event sponsors.