Sterling Cooper overcame his outside post position during a quick opening panel over the off track and held on for a 7-1 upset in the $10,500 Open Pace featured at Fraser Downs on a foggy Sunday (Nov. 29) afternoon.
Leaving from post seven, Sterling Cooper ($17) overtook the feisty Unique Baran just past the first quarter, which was clocked in a quick :26.2. The seven-year-old Camluck gelding took a second quarter breather, reaching the half in :56.1, and then expanded his lead to four lengths by the 1:24.4 third quarter mark with Unique Baran backing through the field. Sterling Cooper then held off Comes Home First down the strtech to win by one and a half lengths in 1:55 flat while favourite Son Of Anarchy advanced from last to show. The track was rated "good" with a two-second allowance.
Sterling Cooper, the all-age track record holder courtesy of his 1:50.2 victory back in March, is owned by Jeffrey Elchuk and trainer Bill Davis, who had a training/driving grand slam on the 10-race card. The pacer now has two Open wins this meet and nine victories on the year from 28 starts with over $70,000 in purse earnings.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.