The remarkable Mystic Maiden chases her 12th consecutive win and 19th in 20 lifetime starts Thursday as part of a star-studded BC Breeders Classic Day lineup at Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino
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Owned by Barry MacFarlane and the Crimson Racing Stables, Mystic Maiden will be the odds-on favourite in Thursday’s $75,000 Mary Murphy Stakes for three-year-old fillies. Winner of both eliminations along with the Sales Stakes Final, Mystic Maiden is trained by Justin Currie and driven by Dave Hudon.
Fast Lane Delila (Serge Masse) and Margarets Spirit (Keith Clark) are both first leg elimination winners and Mystic Maiden’s connections are taking nothing for granted.
The $75,000 Robert Murphy Stakes for three-year-old colts has multiple talent in a nine-horse field that includes headliner Nobody Can (Jim Marino), who captured both legs of the eliminations for owners JJJ Stables and Al Anderson. Elimination leg winners Kootenay Mike (Dave Hudon) and Dontmakemebeg (Ed Hensley) will make Nobody Can work for continuation of his recent successful run.
The 11-race Remembrance Day card includes the BC Classic Stakes for two-year-olds in the fillies and colts divisions. Just Fiction turned out to be quite ‘real’ by winning both eliminations with Ed Hensley driving in the fillies category; Gramrun Jake won both colts’ divisions with Tim Brown in the sulky.
Director of Racing Jackson Wittup has made special arrangements to have the sixth race on Thursday’s card a one and one-quarter mile event instead of the normal one-mile distance, meaning the race will start in front of the grandstand. “It’s something we did a couple of years ago and it was quite popular with the fans,” Wittup says. “With the big crowd we anticipate Thursday, I just thought it would be fun to give our fans a closer look at the actual start of a race.”
In addition to the stars on the track, a juried art show on harness racing presented by the Arts Council of Surrey and Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino is also taking place. The exhibit runs from November 5 - 15 at Fraser Downs and winners will be announced on November 11 before the races.
First prize is $500, second prize is $200 and third prize is $100. There will also be two $100 youth prizes awarded, along with a peoples choice award. Entries are images of harness racing with attention to protocol and detail.
On today's Trot Radio, we talk to Jennifer Wyatt of the Surrey Arts Council as well as trainer Justin Currie.
Episode 160 – BC Breeders Classic Day Preview
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg
The first race Thursday goes at 1:15 p.m. Traditionally, the Nov. 11 Remembrance Day card is well attended. Racing fans are encouraged to come early and enjoy one of the highlights of the Fraser Downs 2010-2011 season. Teresa Fierro, sister to Dan Jukich - Hastings Racecourse ‘voice of the races’ and director simulcasting at Fraser Downs, will sing the national anthem prior to the opening race Thursday.
Congratulations on your
Congratulations on your outstanding work with this filly and your dedication as a harness racing trainer Justin, wishing you and Mystic Maiden all the best in the Breeders Final and here's hoping Dave Hudon gives her one of his great steers.