Right now, Cusdmagicdragon ($2.80) is breathing fire. On Wednesday night (Dec. 16), British Columbia's top distaff pacer delivered a third straight knockout blow to mixed company, doing so by way of a 1:53.3 win in the $8,100 Open Handicap Pace at Fraser Downs.
Scott Knight left mildly with Cusdmagicdragon from her assigned outside post 5, but waited for a three-horse battle for early contention to play out before working the five-year-old Custard The Dragon mare to the fore — but she had to expend a considerable amount of effort to clear. Rockin Mystery (Rod Therres), who had won the :26.2 first-quarter skirmish, strung Cusdmagicdragon out to a :55.3 half, but the mare cruised home from there. Up the backstretch, Intrigued Again (Tony Kerwood) angled first-over from last and advanced all the way into second over a tiring Rockin Mystery at the 1:24.3 three-quarter station.
Despite the presence of a strong challenger through the home turn, Cusdmagicdragon held her ground stoutly, widening her lead again to two lengths at the eighth pole and prevailing by a well measured half length. Intrigued Again was second, seven lengths better than Illwinifican (Dennis Johnston).
Trainer Kelly Hoerdt co-owns Cusdmagicdragon, who has won seven times this season and 30 times in her career, with breeders Blair and Erna Corbeil.
Knight, who drove five winners on the nine-race card, and Hoerdt, who accounted for four training victories, also teamed up to win with Thinkingofyoubabe ($2.30, 1:57.3) and Evermor Legacy ($7.00, 1:57.4).
Full results from Wednesday's card can be found at the following link: Wednesday Results – Fraser Downs.