Round two of the Robert Murphy Breeders Stake and the second leg of the Betty Millbank Memorial Breeders Stake went postward Friday evening at Fraser Downs, and two of the four divisions produced repeat winners.
Ron Bakardi was one of the repeat winners thanks to his 1:56.2 triumph in the first division of the Robert Murphy Breeders Stake for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers.
The son of Badlands Hanover-Artfromtheheart threw down fractions of :28.3, :59 and 1:28.3 before kicking home in :27.4 to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Machitoutofthepark in 1:56.2. Solongo took home third prize in the five-horse affair.
Trainer/driver Jim Marino shares ownership on the gelding with J J J Stables of Prince George, BC. The sophomore, who won last week’s division in 1:53.4, has manufactured a 2-1-1 record so far this season from just five trips postward. The five-time winner recently surpassed $100,000 in earnings.
Canadian Pharoh front-stepped to victory in the second division for trainer/driver Rod Therres. The son of Mach Three-Village Janus led through panels of :29.1, :59.4 and 1:29.2 before scooting home in :28 to win by 2-1/2 lengths over One Small Favour in 1:57.2. ACBC tagged along to finish third.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite, the gelding has faced the gate 12 times this year and has managed to put together a 3-7-0 record along the way. He’s grabbed more than $117,000 in career earnings in the process.
The Blue Yak captured her $15,000 division of the Betty Millbank Memorial Breeders Stake for two-year-old pacing fillies.
She sliced out fractions of :28.4, 1:00.4 and 1:29.2 before kicking home in :29.2 to win by a head over Mrs Suhwiggins in 1:58.4. Tough It Out took home the show dough.
After winning last week’s assignment in a career-best clocking of 1:58.1, The Blue Yak improved her record to 2-0-1 from three tries for owner/breeder/trainer/driver John Hudon. She’s banked more than $15,000 to date.
Not even a wardrobe malfunction could stop Crystal Dragon from posting a popular win in the other $15,000 tilt for freshman fillies. Anthony Succarotte hustled her through fractions of :28.2, 1:02 and 1:31.2 before roaring home in :28.4 to win by a length over Racing Chihuahua. Femma A Grin rounded out the Trifecta ticket.
Jim Marino trains the pacing lass for J J J Stables of Prince George, BC. She owns a 2-1-0 record from just four trips to the track this season. She more than doubled her earnings to $14,605 with the win.
The program also featured the $12,000 Open Pace, and this week’s edition of the class saw Mach Steady pull off a 12-1 upset for the tandem of driver Paul Davies and trainer Randy Rutledge.
The four-year-old son of Mach Three-Forever Holy tripped out in the two-hole throughout the mile before firing home to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Cool Cowboy in 1:54. Taking home the third prize was Buddy Weiser.
It was the fifth win of the season for the 10-time winner who pushed his lifetime earnings past $90,000 with the victory.
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – Fraser Downs.