Stepping up into the Open division off a 1:51.3 track record performance for aged geldings in a $12,500 claimer last week, Red Star Paylater rallied off cover and tracked down pacesetter Timberline Court to prevail in the $10,000 Friday feature at Fraser Downs
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Longshot Storyeum (John Abbott) fired off the gate in this week's Open Pace and raced to the opening quarter in :27.2 with Clintons Escape (Keith Clark) parked out and challenging. Storyeum gave way to Clintons Escape in front of the grandstand and was followed by Timberline Court (Gerry Hudon), part of the even-money favoured entry, before the next turn.
Timberline Court proceeded to the half in :55.4 and three-quarters in 1:23.4 while Carl Sibiga sent Cash Account first up from fifth and Red Star Paylater, with trainer-driver Ed Hensley, followed. Making a three-wide move down the backstretch, Red Star Paylater came charging after Timberline Court and picked him off in deep stretch to win in 1:53.1 over a track rated 'good' and one second off. Timberline Court finished three-quarters of a length behind with At Last (Kevin Anderson) two and a half lengths back in third.
Send postward at odds of 3-1, Red Star Paylater paid $8.30 to win. Hensley shares ownership of the six-year-old gelded son of Bilateral-Payables with the J J J Stables of Aldergrove, B.C. The victory was his eighth in 31 seasonal starts and pushed his earnings to $55,341 for 2010 and $144,695 lifetime.
To view Friday's results, click here.