Alberta invaders Son Of Anarchy and Get Thereovernight overcame sloppy conditions to prevail in career-best performances in the $10,000 Jim Vinnell Memorial eliminations for older pacers on Friday night at Fraser Downs.
Trained and driven by Paul Davies, Son Of Anarchy ($16.60) trailed his elimination field, which was scratched down to five starters, for most of the mile before catching cover and out-sprinting his rivals down the lane to score the 1:53.2 triumph. Pocket-sitter Ghost Pine (Jim Marino) finished half a length behind in the passing lane while local favourite Sterling Cooper (Bill Davis), Fraser Downs' track record holder, was two lengths back in third after taking command during a contested :26.4 opening quarter and leading through middle splits of :55.4 and 1:24.1.
After competing at Century Downs through the summer, Son Of Anarchy shipped to Fraser Downs and won the first Open of the meet in early October. His victory in Friday's elimination was his eighth win of the season from 35 starts and the fastest of his career. The four-year-old Driven To Win gelding is owned by Edmonton's Lorne Duffield and Diane Harries of Falun, Alta.
Fresh off an Open victory on Oct. 25 at Century Downs, Get Thereovernight ($9.40) and driver Bill Tainsh Jr. swept up from third to overtake early pacesetter Life Signature (Brandon Campbell) after first half fractions of :27.4 and :57.4. The four-year-old Clintons Cigar gelding reached three-quarters in 1:24.4 before drawing off down the stretch to a six-length victory in a career-best clocking of 1:52.4. Favourite Comes Home First (Jim Marino) was locked in behind Life Signature before shooting through the passing lane to finish second. Chewy Baca (Travis Bowman) came on for third.
Tainsh Jr. drove the winner for the Kelly Hoerdt stable. Hoerdt co-owns Get Thereovernight with Peter Giannakopoulos of Edmonton and Blair Corbeil of Beaumont, Alta. The pacer now has eight wins in 30 starts this year and earnings of $78,925.
The $50,000 Jim Vinnell final is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 15 at Fraser Downs.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.