A rainy Friday night at Fraser Downs didn't bother Sunshine Boy, who held off rivals on both sides through the stretch to prevail in the $10,000 Preferred Pace and cap off a training triple for Jim Marino.
After outside leaver Itll Be Fine (David Hudon) cleared the favoured pylon starter West Coast Beach (Rod Therres) in a :26.2 opening tussle over the sloppy track, the parked out Sunshine Boy, who hustled off the gate from post six, pressed on to take command for driver Scott Knight as they headed in front of the grandstand the first time.
Knight then backed down the pace to the half in :56.2 and Sunshine Boy's lead was uncontested to three-quarters in 1:25. But company was coming.
West Coast Beach took aim first-over with a quarter-mile to go and Itll Be Fine waited for the passing lane to launch his attack. Knight popped the earplugs with pressure mounting on the final turn and Sunshine Boy dug in down the stretch to hold off the pair for the win in 1:53.4 over a track rated two seconds off. Itll Be Fine finished a half-length behind with West Coast Beach third.
Sent postward as the 3-1 second choice, Sunshine Boy earned his 10th victory of the year, matching his career-high win count from last season. The six-year-old Sunshine Beach-Betterfrombehind gelding now boasts 33 career victories and $320,603 in purse earnings. He paid $8 to win.
Marino, Fraser's 2024 leading trainer, co-owns Sunshine Boy with J J J Stables of Prince George, B.C., and Paul Sanders of Surrey, B.C.
Knight was also aboard winning Marino trainees Shales Storm ($5.20) and Major Winker ($8.50) as part of a driving grand slam on the 10-race card.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)