Marino Back In Breeders Stakes Spotlight
After sweeping the filly B.C. Breeders Stakes on Friday night at Fraser Downs, driver Jim Marino picked up where he left off in winning Saturday's first $7,500 division of the Robert Millbank Breeders Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts.
Marino sent Richard Lancaster trainee Westridge Warrior wire-to-wire to win the Saturday opener by a neck in 2:02.4. The grey Blissfull Hall-Meeko And Tumba colt left from the inside post position and carved out fractions of :31, 1:03, and 1:33 before holding off the popular D On Sanders (Rod Therres) in the stretch for his maiden-breaking triumph while pocket-sitter One Last Shot (Kevin Anderson) rounded out the top three finishers one and a half lengths behind.
Westridge Warrior paid $8.60 to win as the 3-1 second choice. He is owned and bred by the Wild Dunes Stables of Delta, B.C.
Driver J.F. Gagne worked out a perfect pocket trip to help first-time starter Kootenay Positive to a 1:59.3 triumph in the second division.
Also leaving from the inside post position, Kootenay Positive posted a :28.4 opening quarter before giving way to favourite Kesouttamyleague (Kevin Anderson) during the second panel. The new leader carved out middle fractions of 1:01 and 1:30.2, but was collared by the quick-closing Kootenay Positive at the wire. Marino settled for third with I Dont Really Care trailing seven and a half lengths.
The Allamerican Cobalt-Kootenay Finale gelding, bred by Robert Chadwick of Surrey, B.C., is trained by Kyle Chadwick for local owner Barbara Chadwick. He paid $9.50 to win as the 7-2 third choice.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Fraser Downs.