Trainer Kelly Hoerdt had himself a day at Fraser Downs on Sunday, Nov. 17, winning four races including the $12,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace.
Driving the odds-on favourite, Hoerdt kept Blue Grotto towards the middle of the pack in the afternoon’s feature. Tahiti Seelster cleared command from Sell A Bit N past a :26.2 first quarter but soon bore first-over pressure from Custard Lite through splits of :57 and 1:25.
Custard Lite put away Tahiti Seelster spinning for the stretch while Blue Grotto, shuffled to last, began to accelerate for the finish. Blue Grotto swooped by the field with a :27.4 final quarter to deliver as the 4-5 choice with a neck victory over Sell A Bit N. Custard Lite faded to third.
A four-year-old mare by Art Major, Blue Grotto won her sixth race from 20 starts this season and her 15th from 60 overall, earning $201,967. The $3.80 winner races for owner Topnotch Stables.
Hoerdt also opened the day by taking the top-two spots in the first of the 11-race card. Thankyaverymuch ($22.80) surged first over by stablemate and 6-5 favourite Night Stick to win an $8,000 conditioned pace in 1:54. Hoerdt later sent back-to-back winners after taking the Open Pace with Peace Out Posse ($3.70) winning by a head in a $9,300 conditioned pace and Three More Smiles ($7.40) following with a wire-to-wire score in an $8,500 conditioned pace.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.