Itll Be Fine was a repeat winner in the $10,000 Preferred Pace at Fraser Downs on Friday, March 14 with a familiar trip but a new rival to toy with this time out.

Like one week ago, driver Dave Hudon had the Rick Lancaster trainee Itll Be Fine on the point early before getting covered up then re-emerging late for the top-class triumph.

Itll Be Fine flashed his gate speed, firing from the outside post to lead a field of five through a :26.4 first quarter. He then ceded the lead as the pacers headed in front of the grandstand the first time with Preferred newcomer Tzilacatzin (Brandon Campbell) sweeping to the top. 

Sent off as the 4-5 favourite on a win streak dating back to November, the new leader hit the half-mile mark in :56.1 and proceeded to three-quarters in 1:24.2 while his Rebecca Kanak stablemate West Coast Beach (Kelly Hoerdt), who was the winner's main threat last week, stalled first-over down the backstretch. Hudon then tipped Itll Be Fine from the pocket as they turned for home and retook the lead in deep stretch for the 1:53 victory, finishing a half-length better than the class-climbing Tzilacatzin and halting that new rival's streak at five. 

Itll Be Fine paid $6.40 to win as the 2-1 second wagering choice. His fellow Lancaster trainee, Rum N Raisins (John Abbott), rounded out the top three finish order.

Itll Be Fine surpassed the $250,000 earnings mark in his 100th career start, winning for the 28th time. Lancaster also owns the six-year-old Hes Watching-Modern Hanover gelding in partnership with Leslie Godlien of Langley, B.C.

This week's edition of the Preferred was named the Tim Brown Memorial in honour of the late horseman who passed away in 2019. After the race, the Brown family and friends gathered in the winner's circle for a blanket presentation to the winning connections.

The Lancaster-trained claiming pacer Holiday Shadow, driven by Brandon Campbell, was also a winner during Friday's eight-race card for Godlien, who co-owns that four-year-old gelding with Tom Wood and Wild Dunes Stables, while Hudon doubled up with a training tally courtesy of Chuck You Farlie in the finale with Phil Giesbrecht driving.

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

(Standardbred Canada)