Just Fiction started her aged career off on a winning note as she rallied from last to first in Canada's very first Open event of 2012
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Last year's B.C. Stallion Stakes champion Just Fiction matched her lifetime mark of 1:55.3 in the $12,500 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Fraser Downs on Sunday evening. Driven by Jim Marino, the Kents On Nukes-Battalia Hanover mare trailed the seven-horse field for most of the mile before sprinting home to edge out Legal Suspensory (David Hudon) at the wire. Jans Rich Girl (Scott Knight) and Mystic Maiden (Justin Currie) finished third in a dead-heat. The winner paid $34.10 for the upset.
Just Fiction, who was making her first start under the care of trainer Ty O'Neill, notched her 17th career win in 23 starts and pushed her lifetime earnings to $172,740. Owner Richard Mowles' J J J Stables of Aldergrove, B.C. bred the mare with her former trainer, the late Alan Anderson.
The New Year's Day harness racing program also featured the first leg of the Abbetross A Claiming Series for $4,500 claimers and the popular Justin Currie trainees won both $5,000 divisions.
Tre Bien kicked off the card with a 1:54 romp in the first split in rein to J.F. Gagne. The nine-year-old son of Nobleland Sam and Tre Cress cruised to a six and a quarter length victory over Red Star Cash (Tim Brown) and Outlaw Wild Thing (David Hudon). Tre Bien paid $2.90 to win.
Currie claimed the veteran pacer with Shawn Lawson of Maple Ridge, B.C. on Dec. 11 and lost him to Langley's Walter Slopianka in the opening leg of the series. The career winner of 38 races and $335,838 won five of his 29 races in 2011.
Prime Time Bliss got away third in the second division and made his move nearing the third quarter station. He kicked home to win by three-quarters of a length over pacesetter Rays Edge (Scott Knight). Hezadilly (Mike Short) finished third. Prime Time Bliss paid $4.10 to win.
The Blissfull Hall-Armbro Knots 10-year-old, who won 12 of his 42 races last year, was claimed by Currie and Tom Wood of Chilliwack, B.C. on Oct. 22 and will now find a new home with Edmonton's Don M JR Stables. The victory was his 40th lifetime and bumped his bankroll to $262,376.
Gagne ended the 12-race card with a grand slam -- three for trainer Marjorie Dumont -- while Marino earned a driving triple.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.