There was no shortage of two-year-old talent at Fraser Downs on Friday evening, as the rookies rumbled in divisions of the Robert Millbank Memorial Breeders Stake and the Betty Millbank Memorial Breeders Stake.
Pacing fillies kicked off the card, and Mach And Roll Baby was too hot for the competition to handle in the $15,000 opening division of the Betty Millbank Memorial Breeders Stake. Jim Marino put her on the lead early and she spun the field through fractions of :27.2, :57.2 and 1:27.1 before using a :29.2 kicker to win by 2-1/2 lengths over Light The Shadow. Taking home third prize was Charabby.
Trainer Randy Rutledge shares ownership on the daughter of Mach Three-Forever Holy with Jennifer Dodsworth of Aldergrove, BC. The maiden-breaking win helped pushed her earnings to $11,250.
Hanalei Bay took the other division for the fillies in 1:57.2, and she did so in front-stepping fashion for trainer/driver Bill Davis. He put the Shadow Play-Lucky Jenny lass on the lead from the outset and after chopping out splits of :28, :59 and 1:28.1 she used a :29.1 kicker to seal the deal in 1:57.2. No Guarantees came up a neck short, while Bossy took home third prize in the $15,000 tilt.
Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, Hanalei Bay won for the third time in seven tries for partners Jeff and Debbie Elchuk along with Ken Eng. The filly has banked $17,700 to date.
Bettors Mark tied the track record for two-year-old pacing colts with his 1:55.3 score in the first division of the Robert Millbank Memorial Breeders Stakes. The son of Bettors Delight-Shesaquestionmark shot to the top for trainer/driver Bill Davis and led through intervals of :28, :58 and 1:27.2 before slipping home in :28.1 for the win. He scored by 3-1/4 lengths over Tito Santanna, with Whatkindofachance finished third.
Every Vandenborn of Langley, BC bred and owns the undefeated youngster, who is now 2-for-2 to start his career. His earnings climbed to $15,000 with the win.
One Big Cat established a new track record with his 1:55.2 triumph in the second division. Brandon Campbell mapped out the wire-to-wire score for the colt, who led the group through fractions of :27.3, :57.4 and 1:26 before finishing them off with a :29.2 closing panel. Credit Risk was second with Imrunninonsunshine taking home third prize.
Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, the son of American Ideal-Cats Meow improved his 2015 record to three wins from four starts for trainer Debra Mc Carthy. J J J Stables of Prince George, BC owns the winner of $18,983.
In other action, Chewy Baca turned a ground-saving trip into a 1:52.1 tally in the $10,500 Open Pace. Travis Bowman got away third and tracked pacesetter Sterling Cooper through fractions of :26.4, :55 and 1:22.4. Chewy Baca got late clearance and fired home in :28.4 to win by three-quarters of a length over race favourite Sterling Cooper. Son Of Anarchy was third.
The six-year-old son of Relentless Yankee-Die Searching pulled off the 8-1 upset for owner Dr. James Findlay of Maple Ridge, BC. Sean Lancaster trains the 36-time winner who now boasts a cash stash of $173,171.
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – Fraser Downs.