Aged pacers contested in two $10,000 eliminations for the Jim Vinnell Memorial on the Sunday, Nov. 18 program at Fraser Downs.
Spurting from second over, Illwinifican caught first-over challenger Incognito Cowboy to take the first elimination by a half length in 1:54.
Race-favourite Mach Steady controlled the tempo through the mile as he paced splits of :27.2, :56.4 and 1:25.1 on the lead. Incognito Cowboy, positioned third, edged first over heading to the third quarter while Illwinifican tracked cover from second over rounding the final turn.
The favourite succumbed to the pressure through the stretch and handed the lead to Incognito Cowboy. However Illwinifican kicked wide and surged to victory in the final strides. Mach Steady faded to third while pocket-sitter Cool Cowboy finished fourth.
Owned by trainer-driver Dennis Johnston along with partner Ray Thomson, Illwinifican won his third race from 12 starts this season and his 23rd from 63 overall, earning $254,317. The six-year-old gelding by Allamerican Native returned $7.10 to win.
Odds-on favourite Da Magician took the second-elimination field wire to wire with a 1:53.4 victory over pocket-sitter Buddy Weiser. Owned, trained and driven by Serge Masse, Da Magician controlled the tempo through fractions of :27.3, :57.4 and 1:26 before sprinting away from his competition toward a two-length victory. Wrangler Cash overtook Redneck Jim for third while handing the latter fourth.
A four-year-old gelding by Dragon Again, Da Magician won his ninth race from 18 starts this season and his 22nd from 46 overall, earning $292,849. He paid $3.60 to win.
Gotta Have Nukes popped pocket and overtook pacesetter Outlawstandndelivr to take the $12,000 Open Pace by a neck in 1:53.2. Owned and trained by Rick White, the nine-year-old gelding by Kents On Nuke tracked the leader through clockings of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:24.4 before lunging towards the top nearing the wire. Life On Homicide rallied from second over to finish a half-length away in third with Sabine Pass fourth.
Winning his third race in 19 starts this season and his 20th in 157 overall, Gotta Have Nukes, also owned by Josh and June Kauffman, has accrued $295,216 in earnings. Glenn White piloted the $16.50 winner.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.