Davis Celebrates 5,000 Career Wins

Bill Davis entered Friday’s program at Fraser Downs needing only one victory to earn his 5,000th and he got the job done in the third race aboard his pupil Beggars Opera

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Leaving from Post 3, Beggars Opera showed early gate speed but Brenchly (Billy Davis, Jr.) landed on top. The parked Dal Reo Rebel (Mike Bourgeois) moved up on the outside while Davis settled his charge in third as the field rolled past the first quarter in :28.1.

Brenchly battled with Dal Reo Rebel to the half in :58.2 where Beggars Opera made his move sweeping up to take the lead. He pulled away by two lengths past the third quarter station in 1:28.1. Although Brenchly pressed on down the lane, Beggars Opera managed to hold him at bay to win by a nose in 1:58. The fan favourite, Magicalpath (Jim Marino), finished third.

Owned by Robert Bacon of San Mateo, California, the seven-year-old Splendid Splinter gelding scored his 31st win and pushed his bankroll to nearly $80,000.

“Its nice to get it with one of your own but you take them when you can get them,” said Davis in the winner’s circle celebration.

The 47-year-old horseman, who took top honours at Fraser Downs last year earning the driving and training titles for both wins and money, joins Keith Clark as the second Western Canadian-based driver to accomplish the feat. Davis is one of 65 horsemen in North America to reach the 5,000-win plateau.

This career highlight is not the only one Davis will enjoy this year. The resident of Langley, B.C. will represent the west along with Alberta’s Kelly Hoerdt in the Canadian Driving Championship in March at Fraser Downs.

Davis, a winner of nearly $20 million in purses, added three more triumphs to his record during the 10-race program including the featured Keith Linton Memorial Final for four-year-old colts and geldings.

Bohemian Bliss took a new mark of 1:54.2 for trainer Ann Cooper and owner Brent Harrison of Surrey, B.C. to sweep the $25,000 event.

The Blissful Hall gelding brushed up from fourth after the half and collared the pacesetter, Lil Rock N Rustler (Scott Knight), in the stretch to win by one and three-quarter lengths. Awfully Smart (Rick White) rounded out the top three.

Bohemian Bliss is now a seven-time winner with $46,612 in the bank.

Davis also guided Manpan to victory in 1:55.4 in the sixth race for Cooper while Up Front Palone took a new lifetime mark of 1:54 for Davis in Race 8.

To view Friday’s results, click here