Trainer Jim Marino and driver Brandon Campbell teamed up to take two of Wednesday's (Oct. 13) four opening-round $15,000 Millbank Memorial events for rookie pacers at Fraser Downs.
Joe Rich ($2.90) carried the Marino banner in the second division of the Robert Millbank for two-year-old colts and geldings, vaulting to a 3-1/4-length win in 1:59.1.
The Custard The Dragon-Cant Stop Rockin colt rode the pocket behind Five Star General and Rod Therres through soft splits of :29, 1:00.2 and 1:30.4 before edging out at the eighth pole and sprinting home in :28 to secure his second career win in five starts to date for Marino and co-owners J J J Stables and Paul Sanders.
Jimmyachance ($3.00) took the opening division in 1:58 for trainer-driver Dennis Johnston, fending off a late push from pocket rival and stablemate Sammy Santana (Scott Knight) by a half length to extend his career unbeaten streak to three.
Johnston co-owns the Big Jim-Color Me Happy gelding with William Pambrun.
Marino and Campbell completed their stakes double in the second split of the Betty Millbank for two-year-old fillies, as Shoot The Whiskey ($5.30) rode live flow behind 4-5 choice Memum Knowsnothing (Glenn White) up the backstretch before overpowering that rival by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:58.1.
The daughter of Shadow Play and Arm In Arm notched her second career win in four starts, and her first for the partnership of Marino and the J J J Stables.
The earlier Betty Millbank division went to Diana Mills' Hazels Wildling ($3.10), who wired her seven rivals in 1:58.4 to record her second win in five starts to date.
Trainer-driver Tyler Redwood worked the daughter of Daylon Boy and Hinds Feet Hazel to the lead through a :27.2 first quarter, staved off an early challenge from Biggio, and evaded pocket foe Hottieattheplate (Richard Lancaster) by 1-3/4 lengths.
Further preliminary rounds of the Millbank Memorial series will take place Oct. 27 and Nov. 3, and the $75,000 finals are slated as part of the BC Breeders Classic Day program on Nov. 11.
Following their stakes double, Marino and Campbell also captured the $12,000 optional claiming feature with Dontpokethedragon ($4.10). The four-year-old son of Custard The Dragon rode second-over cover up the backstretch behind Armycaptin Hanover before switching off Kelly Hoerdt's helmet and reaching in the final yards of a 1:53.2 mile to win by a half length. Pacesetter Rockin Mystery (Rod Therres) finished third.
It was the 14th victory — and third in a row — for Dontpokethedragon, whom Marino owns with Sanders and the J J J Stables.
In all, Campbell completed the 10-race card with five driving wins, while Marino sent four of his starters to the winner's enclosure.
To view Wednesday's complete results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Fraser Downs.