Just Ryan pulled off a 9-1 upset in the $25,000 BC Sales Stakes final for freshmen pacing colts while the undefeated Just Fiction delivered on her pari-mutuel promise with a track record performance in the matching filly final on Friday night at Fraser Downs
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The colts were four-wide going into the first and spread out four across as they approached the wire in the first frosh event with Just Ryan emerging on top at both points.
With the inside advantage, Just Ryan and driver Michael Hennessy took control early on posting a :28.1 first quarter. The son of Village Jiffy-Armbro Nerve then gave way to Branding Party (Jim Marino) after that colt hustled off the gate from the outside Post 8.
Early leaver Midnite In LA (Ed Hensley), who started from the trailing Post 9, made his move next from third, advancing to the top in front of the grandstand. He reached the half in :57.3 and then three-quarters in 1:27.2, but the favourite had to settle for fourth as a host of late-closers came on in deep stretch. Just Ryan got up in time for a career-best 1:58 edging out Gramrun Jake (Tim Brown), Branding Party and Midnite In LA.
Just Ryan paid $21.30 for the upset. Robert Merschback trains the winner of two races in three starts and $15,200 for owner Tammie Mosterd of Aldergrove, B.C.
Just Fiction’s record remained spotless thanks to a 1:55.3 track record performance in the BC Sales Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies.
Red Star Hannah (Tim Brown) took control of the field off the gate but made a break forcing the advancing Cold And Heartless (Kevin Anderon) wide before she cleared near the :28.1 quarter pole.
Cold And Heartless motored to the half in :57.4 while trailing starter Just Fiction advanced first up after getting away fifth and took over before the third quarter mark of 1:27. The daughter of Kents On Nukes-Battalia Hanover kicked away by four lengths around the final bend en route to her third consecutive win. The time of the mile lowered Fast Lane Delila’s two-year-old filly record, set exactly one year ago, by one-fifth of a second. Christina Lake (Jim Marino) and Millbanks Ariel (Rick White) finished second and third.
Just Fiction paid $3.80 for the win. Her earnings now stand at $19,400 for the J J J Stables of Aldergrove, B.C. and Alan Anderson of Willows, California.
In this week’s $10,000 Open Pace, three-year-old Clintons Escape ($6.50) made his B.C. debut a winning with a wire-to-wire effort for trainer-driver Keith Clark. Leaving from Post 3, the son of Clintons Cigar-Emotionaliscape carved out fractions of :27, :56.1 and 1:24 and held off sophomore BC Sales Stakes champion Nobody Can (Jim Marino), a full-brother to Just Fiction, by a half-length for the 1:52.4 victory. Pocket-sitter Kiawah (David Hudon), apart of the favoured Gerry Hudon entry, was third.
Clintons Escape has won 10 times in 14 starts this year earning over $131,000. Clark shares ownership of the gelding with Allan Neurauter of High River and George Young of Calgary, Alta.
In other action, driver Jim Marino managed to escape serious injuries in a mishap that occurred in the fifth race. With Bells On (Mike Hennessy) made a break from third at the rail causing interference to Major Ziggy and unseating his driver, Marino, in behind. Marino was up on his feet shortly after the race and completed his remaining drives. The backfield was scattered as a result of the mishap and With Bells On was disqualified.
To view Friday’s results, click here.