Defending champion Buddy Weiser and the streaking Iwontdothatagain top the Jim Vinnell Memorial contenders after winning a pair of $10,000 eliminations for older pacers on Friday night (November 17) at Fraser Downs.
Defending champion Buddy Weiser, the 6-5 favourite in the first elimination driven by Serge Masse, got up in time to win a photo finish over Sterling Cooper, Illwinifican and Sabine Pass.
Sterling Cooper took the lead during a :26.4 opening quarter and continued to front the field through middle splits of :56.2 and 1:24.1 while Sabine Pass launched his first-over bid from third. In the stretch, Illwinifican closed through the passing lane while Wrangler Cash and Buddy Weiser rallied off cover in the fight to the finish. Closing widest of all, Buddy Weiser ended with a head advantage in 1:53.1 for trainer Rod Therres and owner Veikko Pajunen.
In the second elimination, 1-2 favourite Iwontdothatagain extended his win streak to five for Alberta-based horseman Kelly Hoerdt and co-owner Ed Keryliuk.
Iwontdothatagain went first-up to defeat pacesetter Next Thing Smoken (:26.4, :55.2 and 1:23.2) by one length in a career-best equalling 1:52.3 mile. Incognito Cowboy and Comes Home First came on to finish third and fourth, respectively.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.