All four favourites prevailed in the first leg of the Robert and Mary Murphy Breeders Stakes for sophomore pacers on Saturday at Fraser Downs
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In the first of two $7,500 Robert Murphy Breeders Stake divisions for the colts, Boom Shazam ($3.80) advanced to command from fourth after the opening quarter and led the rest of the way, holding off the pocket-pulling Red Star Tyson and Grant Hollingswort by a neck at the wire in a career-best 1:55.3. Stepuptotheplate and Richard Lancaster finished two lengths back in third.
Justin Currie trains and bred the son of Badlands Hanover-Livinforthemoment with Susan Currie of Surrey, B.C. Tom Wood of Chilliwack shares in the ownership of the bay colt, who spent some time racing in Ontario this past summer and has won four races in 15 seasonal starts.
Fresh off a pair of wins in the elimination and final of the BC Sales Stake, Gramrun Jake ($2.20) went wire-to-wire to win his division in 1:54.4 with Tim Brown in tow. Midnite In La and Scott Knight finished over three lengths behind in second off a two-hole trip and Crown Isle and Mike Short followed in third.
Owned and trained by Dan Ingram, the gelding son of Camcracker-Roxette Hanover is now five-for-15 on the year.
With Jim Marino in the sulky, Just Fiction ($3.40) converted from the pocket to win the first of two $7,500 Mary Murphy Breeders Stake divisions for the fillies in 1:56.3 by over two lengths. Pacesetter Oil Town Emelia and James Burke held on for second over Millbanks Ariel and Rick White.
Trainer Alan Anderson shares ownership of the Kents On Nuke-Battalia Hanover miss that he bred with J J J Stables of Aldergrove, B.C. Just Fiction has won six of her eight races this year including the BC Sales Stake final last weekend.
Next up was Imherefortheparty ($3.30), who wired her filly foes in a career-best 1:56.1. Serge Masse steered the daughter of Usher Hanover-Nazko Jesse to the two and a quarter length victory over Red Star Hannah and Tim Brown. Judgemental and Scott Knight rallied from last to show.
Erik Nehart trains and owns the winner of four races in 10 starts this year with breeder Donna Scrannage of Delta, B.C.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Fraser Downs.