Fresh off his Alberta Super Final victory, two-year-old pacing colt Outlawgrabbingears dominated the first division of the Dan Ingram Memorial Stakes while making his B.C. debut on Friday night (November 23) at Fraser Downs.
Trained, driven and co-owned by Paul Davies, favourite Outlawgrabbingears romped to a 6-1/2 length victory in the first of two $25,000 divisions. The Smart Shark-Grand Slam Woman colt carved out fractions of :27.2, :59 and 1:28.2 en route to an uncontested victory in 1:56.1 over the sloppy track. After B.C. Breeders Stakes champion Major Winker (David Hudon) broke stride on the final turn, Rockin N Talkin (Jim Marino) overtook pocket pursuer Kootenay Mystery (Dennis Johnston), who finished third with broken equipment.
Outlawgrabbingears has finished no worse than second in nine career starts. He was undefeated throughout the Alberta Sires Stakes season and now boasts sevens wins with earnings topping the $100,000 mark. Davies shares ownership of the bay colt with Nicole Cecchin of Aldergrove, B.C., and Deborah Pinel of Calgary, Alta.
Go Nine O also made his B.C. debut a winning one, taking the fastest division in 1:56 flat for trainer/driver Kelly Hoerdt.
Hoerdt co-owns the Custard The Dragon-Mater Deo gelding, who hit the board in the Alberta Super Final last time out. It was a 1-2 sweep for owners Jim Marino and J J J Stables, who also campaign runner-up Bettor Cat.
The favoured Marino-trained and driven Bettor Cat looped to the lead early on as the field passed the quarter pole in :28.4 with Go Nine O improving position into the two-hole. Spiderdman's (Rod Therres) first-over challenge was rebuffed as Bettor Cat continued to lead through middle splits of :58.3 and 1:27.4 before Go Nine O tipped out turning for home and collared him at the finish line. Early leader Jewels Dragon (David Hudon) finished four lengths behind in third.
Go Nine O now sports a seasonal summary reading 4-3-1 in his first 10 starts with earnings climbing to $56,718.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.