A deafening silence fell over Fraser Downs Racetrack on the night of Saturday, June 5 when veteran driver Serge Masse took a spill that left him writhing in pain
. Midnite Diva had stumbled after the wire and took Masse to the ground with her. While the horse gained its composure and got back on her feet, Masse wasn’t so fortunate.
He suffered a severely fractured ankle which eventually led to surgery with screws and plates administered in order to allow him to walk. And walk he did -- right back to the scene of the accident.
Not being able to negotiate stairs, Masse set himself up in a motor home in the Fraser Downs parking lot for the balance of the meet. The longtime owner\trainer\driver hobbled around the backstretch and would sit on overturned water buckets to shoe his horses.
When the standardbred racing season resumed in October, Masse was back driving with the help of a walking boot on his injured leg. He made it clear that nothing would stand in his way of resuming his livelihood.
The courageous comeback reached its peak last weekend when Masse drove Fast Lane Delila to a dramatic photo finish win over Margarets Spirit in the first leg of the $12,500 Mary Murphy Breeders Stakes eliminations for three-year-old fillies.
In the first leg, second division, the incredible winning streak of Mystic Maiden continued for the tandem of driver Dave Hudon and trainer Justin Currie. It was the tenth victory in a row for Mystic Maiden, and the filly's 17th win in 18 career starts.
Kootenay Mike (driven by Dave Hudon) and Nobody Can (Ed Hensley) won the first and second divisions of the $12,500 Robert Murphy BC Breeders Stakes eliminations for three-year-old colts and geldings.
Breeders Stakes eliminations continue at Fraser Downs this weekend, as the two-year-olds will compete on the Friday night card. The Robert and Mary Murphy Breeders Stakes eliminations will also continue on Sunday afternoon.
Start time Friday is 7:00 p.m., while the action starts Sunday at 1:15 p.m.
(Fraser Downs)