One of the most highly anticipated championships in the Governor’s Cup series was the first to kick off the day Wednesday, August 19. Two-year-old filly pacers lined up behind the gate with a big matchup between Sassie Kassie and Bella Notte, both of which had only experienced one defeat all season. In addition to those two fillies, the field included Velmissfoxyshooter, the only one to defeat Sassie Kassie this year and has not been off the board this year in nine starts. In the end, it was Sassie Kassie who claimed the title in the $25,000 final and equaled the Governor’s Cup record in 1:55.0. Sassie Kassie began from post four for driver Kevin Lambright and used just enough early speed to grab the two hole behind Velmissfoxyshooter and Mike Peterson who fired out for the lead. Bella Notte and Joey Putnam got away in third as the field passed by the first quarter in :28.0. It didn’t take long for Lambright to pull the pocket and send Sassie Kassie to the lead, settled in on top before the half in :57.3. As the field disappeared behind the trees in the infield, Sassie Kassie was still in the lead and Bella Notte had pulled first over and was inching up. When the field came back in sight, Sassie Kassie had a three-length advantage on the rest of the fillies, and maintained that advantage into the lane. In the stretch, Sassie Kassie pinned her ears and was all business, traveling home in :29.0 to score the win by two lengths. Velmissfoxyshooter came back and finished well for second with GD Captain Win and Michael Detweiler rounding out the top three. Sassie Kassie is a freshman daughter of Capt Midnight. She is owned and trained by Kassandra Lambright and was acquired by the Lambrights this spring from breeder Freeman Bontrager of Topeka, Ind. It was the biggest paycheck of the young filly’s career, boosting her bankroll to more than $25,000 with the win. It was also her career best effort, which equaled the time posted by Northern Nightstar and Kyle Wilfong earlier in the day in the $10,000 Governor’s Cup Consolation for two-year-old filly pacers. Another contender who completed a stellar season in the Quest for the Governor’s Cup Championships was three-year-old pacing filly It Liz Again, driven by Mike Peterson. The Highalator filly sat patiently in the two hole before taking over at the head of the lane and pacing home for the five and three-quarter length win in 1:53.1. Rita’s Girl, who led the division by points and driven by Kevin Detweiler, finished second over Ambehaving and Kevin Lambright for third. It Liz Again is owned by Chris Choros and Therl Hensley. Gerald Miller trains the filly, who is a home bred for Choros. It was her third straight win and her fourth during the preliminary rounds of the Governor’s Cup Championship. It was also a new career best for the sophomore pacer as she moved her career bankroll over the $60,000 mark. The biggest surprise on the day came in the three-year-old trotting filly division. Precisely, driven by Kevin Detweiler, came into the Championship in the final spot, ranked eighth on the list of qualifiers for the championship. Other divisional winners in the Governors Cup Championships included JK Barbar (Clint Coy) in two-year-old colt and gelding pacing action, Cool Manner (Kevin Detweiler) in the two-year-old filly trot, Hidden Talent (Clint Coy) in two-year-old colt and gelding trotting action, Charging Thunder (Mike Peterson) in the three-year-old colt and gelding pacing division, Precisely (Kevin Detweiler) among three-year-old filly trotters, and Don’t Tell Anyone (Kevin Detweiler) in the final division for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters. The Helpisontheway filly sat in mid pack before pulling out and going three-wide in the final turn. As they field headed down the stretch, Precisely took over and held her ground from Canipilotall and Clint Coy to win by a half length in 1:58.0. Topville Ideal finished third. Precisely is owned by Twoforone Stable and trained by Robert Wyman. Oakwood Farms bred and raised the filly, who earned her third win of the season and her sixth overall. The mile was also a new lifetime mark for Precisely.