Tre Bien enjoyed a very good start to his 2011 campaign with a victory in the $12,500 Open Pace at Fraser Downs on Friday

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Cigar Hall fought for the early lead from Post 7 forcing At Last (Kevin Anderson) and Killean Cut Kid (Gord Abbott) to take back into second and third in the early going. After passing the first quarter in :28.2, trainer-driver Ed Hensley sent Tre Bien first up from fourth and Cash Account (Carl Sibiga) picked up the cover.

Cigar Hall continued to lead past the half in :58.3 and three-quarters in 1:26.2 with Tre Bien still a length and a half behind from first over.

Tre Bien began to apply pressure around the final turn while Cash Account angled three-deep. As they raced into the stretch, Tre Bien edged away and then held off a late rush from Living It Up (Jim Marino) on the far outside for the 1:56.2 victory over a slow track. The margin of victory was a mere neck. At Last completed the top three, finishing two lengths behind.

Tre Bien paid $8.70 to win. Hensley co-owns the eight-year-old son of Nobleland Sam-Tre Cress with the J J J Stables of Aldergrove, B.C. In winning his 2011 debut, Tre Bien notched his 33rd career win and pushed his lifetime earnings to $292,957.

To view Friday's results, click here.