Fraser Downs opened up the 2024 fall meet on Thursday (Sept. 12) evening and Grey Sea kicked it off where she ended in the spring at the top of the featured class ranks. The Gord Abbott student made every pole a winning one en route to victory in the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap Pace. 

Taking the gate as the outside post in the field of five featured mares, John Abbott and Grey Sea left briskly, secured the lead, and controlled the tempo of the mile throughout. After handing out times in :27.3, :57.4, and 1:25.3, Grey Sea extended her lead to win by 6-3/4 lengths in 1:54. Arrhythmic Dream (David Hudon) finished second. B On The Hunt (Scott Knight) completed the triactor.

Grey Sea is owned by breeder Seaspray Stables Ltd of Nanaimo, B.C. The five-year-old Custard The Dragon - Preference mare moved her seasonal tally to 4-7-5 in 22 starts and lifetime tally to 18-12-8 in 49 starts. She boasts $149,650 in career earnings. She paid $2.60 to win.

Rod Therres sprung with an early jump in the trainer standings with five entered and five wins on the Thursday card. Driving each of his trainees, Therres scored with Fubar Bundy ($3.20) in 1:54.3, Heavens Lil Dragon ($3.60) in 1:59.1, Rollin Withholly A ($4.00) in 1:56, Martini Please ($7.10) in 1:59.1, and Dillon James ($6.60) in 1:56.

Therres is quickly closing in on his 1,000-training win milestone, now sitting at 996 wins.

Fans can catch the action at the five-eighths-mile oval every Thursday and Friday night starting at 7 p.m. (Pacific Time). The races are broadcast in full HD live on YouTube.

To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Fraser Downs.

(Standardbred Canada)