Sterling Cooper put forth a career-best performance on Friday night winning Fraser Downs' featured $10,500 Open Pace.
Sterling Cooper won four straight races to begin the Fall/Winter meet before finishing seventh in his last start on Sept. 20. But he returned to winning form on Friday and paced the fastest race mile of his life in 1:52.1 for trainer/driver David Hudon.
Leaving from post three, Sterling Cooper blazed through opening fractions of :25.4 and :53.1 with the parked Full Circle King (Bill Davis) challenging on the outside. But Sterling Cooper rebuffed that rival down the backstretch with a new challenge forming en route to the 1:22 third quarter station. Full Circle King receded to the pocket spot while trailing tier starter Killean Cut Kid (David McKellar) was on the move from fourth. He only managed to come within a length and a half of the leader though before ducking to the inside down the stretch. Despite the quick early fractions, Sterling Cooper stayed in command and won by two and a half lengths. Killean Cut Kid was second in a photo over the closing Gotta Have Nukes (Rick White).
Sent postward at odds of 7-2, Sterling Cooper paid $9.60 to win.
The Camluck gelding has earned 11 of his 18 career wins in his five-year-old season. With Friday's victory, his earnings surpassed the $100,000 mark.
Sterling Cooper is owned by Kelly Hudon and Mary Jane Wiggins of Surrey, B.C.
Earlier on the card in the third race, horseman Bill Davis was unseated in an accident. Leaving from post seven, I Dont Really Care broke stride into the turn and collided with another horse while causing interference to the trailers. Davis was tossed from the bike during the collision, but was able to return to the sulky to complete his remaining drives. His mount was corralled by the outrider.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.