Owner Veikko Pajunen of Vancouver, BC was given a good reason to smile on Sunday (Jan. 20). Pajunen's Open pacer, Buddy Weiser, made the most of a significant scratch and went out and captured Fraser Downs’ Open Pace.
The aforementioned scratch from the $12,000 showdown – which went postward as Race 5 – was Da Magician (vet’s scratch, sick), who has been a terror in Fraser’s top class thus far in the winter months.
Trainer/driver Rod Therres was more than cognizant of Da Magaician’s absence, and he sent his charge to the front off of the gate. Buddy Weiser engaged in a brief skirmish for the lead with the Dennis Johnston-driven Illwinifican, but ultimately crossed over on the ‘fast’ track and clicked off the opening quarter in :28.1.
The field raced unchanged through the second quarter, as Therres and his seven-year-old Western Ideal gelding cruised down to the half-mile pole in :57.2.
The Jamie Gray-driven Exit Smiling came calling from third early in the third quarter, and the duo’s first-over advance brought them into second as Therres and Buddy Weiser flashed the three-quarters clock in 1:26.
With a quarter left to go and a class horse on his outside, Therres knew it was time to ask his charge for another gear. Buddy Weiser obliged in full, as he dug into the track a little deeper and fended off the closer to his right.
Another late attacker, Illwinifican, propelled along the inside from the garden spot, but Buddy Weiser ($10.50) was able to hold him off, as well, en route to a 1:54 score.
An analysis of the photo-finish camera was required to determine the second- and third-place finishers. After inspection, the judges declared that Illwinifican snared second and Exit Smiling third. The $2 exactor and triactor wagers returned $22.10 and $63.30, respectively.
Buddy Weiser has now triumphed in one of his two races thus far in 2019. The win, which was the 26th of his 75-race career, pushed Buddy Weiser’s career purse earnings to $219,293.
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Fraser, click the following link: Sunday Results – Fraser Downs.