Grey Sea topped the ladies' featured pace at Fraser Downs on Thursday (Dec. 14) evening as she won the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred following the pocket trip.
Grey Sea (John Abbott) was quick to the top before If Only Id Known (Kelly Hoerdt) took over from the outside and was the first to hit the opening panel in :27.3. If Only Id Known continued on to set the half in :58.1 and three-quarters in 1:26.4 while Grey Sea followed on the helmet in the pocket. An outer flow developed along the backstretch, but as the field rounded for home, the mares fanned out. Room up the rail opened to allow Grey Sea to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.3. If Only Id Known was second and Mystic Shadow (Brad Watt) finished third.
Four-year-old Grey Sea is owned and was bred by Seaspray Stables Ltd. Gord Abbott trains the winner of 10 races and $85,970 this season. In her career, Grey Sea boasts a record of 14-5-3 in 27 starts with $95,550 banked. She returned $6.70 for the win.
Kootenay Cocoa extended her unblemished record to a perfect seven-for-seven in her young career after she won a $6,500 conditioned pace.
Tyson Jacoby and Kootenay Cocoa faced a miscue in the early going before following through panels in :28.4 and :59 in fourth. Jacoby tipped first-over with the filly en route to the three-quarters in 1:28.2 before meeting the pacesetting Diva Amour (Kelly Hoerdt) in the final turn. Down the lane, Kootenay Cocoa took command and kept going to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:57. Diva Amour had to settle for second and Fighter Gem (Blaine Chappell) completed the top three.
Kyle Chadwick trains the freshman Beren Hanover filly for owners Robert & Barbara Chadwick. Robert Chadwick bred the winner of $22,750. Kootenay Cocoa paid $2.10 to win.
Kelly Hoerdt drove himself to a training hat trick after winning with Stolen Treasure ($3.30) in 2:00.4, Century Mach ($2.20) in 1:55.1 and Jamaica Move ($4) in 1:57.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Fraser Downs.