An assigned Post 7 start had caused Da Magician to just miss notching a win during Fraser Downs’ Open Pace on January 6. The Dragon Again gelding lined up in Post 2 for the track’s $12,000 clash on Sunday (January 13), and you know that the classy bay had one thing on his mind.

A scratch of Post 7 starter Gotta Have Nukes reduced the Race 5 field to six, but that probably didn’t have much effect on Da Magician, who, along with pilot Scott Knight, has his mind set on the point.

Post 6 starter Bobby Dazzler was the quickest off the gate, as the Kelly Hoerdt-driven pacer crossed over to the pylons first and led the field along the first turn. Da Magician found himself in the two-hole at that point, but Knight clearly wanted no part of it.

Knight and Da Magician spurned the pocket early and took to the outside along the turn. The pair raced overland for a good piece before finally diving down to the pylons and clicking off the opening quarter mile in :28.1 over the ‘fast’ track.

Da Magician went to work from there.

The winner of 28 of 54 career races spun off the middle fractions in :58.2 and 1:26.2, respectively, before he raced wide through the homestretch and sealed the deal. The Dennis Johnston-driven Illwinifican, who had started from Post 3, closed well off of a second-over trip and finished a competitive second. Rail starter Sabine Pass, who had Paul Davies in tow, finished third after the examination of a finish-line photo.

A successful $2 exactor wager with Da Magician ($2.90) on top and Illwinifican on the bottomed returned $9.90. A successful $2 triactor wager filled out by Sabine Pass returned $18.90.

The victory was the first of Da Magician’s five-year-old campaign. He has now banked $349,889 in purses during his career for Masse, of Edmonton, who also owns the bay.

To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Fraser, click the following link: Sunday Results – Fraser Downs.