Three-year-old pacers found themselves in the spotlight Thursday evening at Fraser Downs, as the British Columbia oval hosted divisions of the Mary Murphy Breeders Stake for fillies and the Robert Murphy Breeders Stake for their male counterparts.
The undefeated Watch My Luck pushed her winning streak to three-in-a-row thanks to her 1:57.3 triumph in her $15,000 division of the Mary Murphy Breeders Stake. Unraced as a rookie, the daughter of Camluck-Watch Over Me got away fifth for driver J.F. Gagne before commencing a first-over rally and eventually drawing away from the competition in a time of 1:57.3. She defeated runner-up Dancers Luckyseven by 2-1/4 lengths. Epic Era took home the show dough.
Marjorie Dumont trains the homebred for J.F. Gagne, Peter Van Seggelen and Carl Warnaar. The lion’s share of the loot lifted the filly’s earnings to $18,200.
Scarlet V cruised to a four-length victory in the second division. Sent off at odds of 13-1, the daughter of Stonebridge Regal-Blissfull Rising slipped into the three-hole for trainer/driver Paul Davies before rushing to the front at the three-quarter pole. A :28.2 kicker helped her stop the teletimer in 1:57.2. Fast Lane Elektra grabbed the runner-up award, while Millbanks Writer was third.
Alberta partners Glenn Pinel, Richard Taylor and Quentin Schneider share ownership on the two-time winner who now boasts a bankroll that stands at $26,393.
Mystic Ruler steamrolled over the foes he faced in the first $15,000 division of the Robert Murphy Breeders Stake. Trainer/driver Bill Davis hustled him to the front and successfully sped the field through fractions of :27.3, :57.2 and 1:26 before using a :29-second closing quarter to win by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:55. Blissful Angel was next best, with On Tahuya Time rounding out the top three finishers.
Evert Vandenborn of Langley, BC bred and owns the son of Camystic-Tough Promise, who improved his 2015 record to 2-1-0 from six starts with the win. The payday helped boost his bankroll to $42,050.
Illwinifican notched his third straight score in the second division for trainer/driver Dennis Johnston. The gelding was treated to a pocket trip behind the battling tandem of Mister Hat and Pureform Gangster. They scrapped through fractions of :27.2, :59.1 and 1:27.4 before tiring and opening the door for Illwinifican. He sprinted home in a :29-second clip to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:57.1 over Tahuya Know. Mister Hat settled for a third-place finish.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite, the son of Allamerican Native-Builttowin Hanover improved his 2015 record to 4-3-0 from eight starts for Dennis Johnston and partner Ray Thomson of Surrey, BC. The pacer upped his lifetime earnings to $50,250 with the win.
In other action, Pureform Goodtogo held on for a nose decision in the $10,500 Fillies And Mares Open for the tandem of driver John Chappell and trainer Bill Davis. The 10-year-old daughter of Valet Victory-Chewy Hanover sat second in the early going before brushing to the front on the way to the half. She carved out middle splits of :57 and 1:25.2 before using a :29.3 kicker to hold off the late-driving Sheezgotdawoogies. Prairie Illusion finished third.
Jeff Elchuk and Bill Davis share ownership on the veteran distaffer who has racked up eight wins from 15 starts this season. The 40-time winner has a career cash stash of $204,890.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Fraser Downs.