Favourite Sterling Cooper won the early battle for the lead, but Playbook had the last laugh getting up to score by a neck in the $10,500 top pacing class at Fraser Downs featured on Sunday's harness racing card.
Racing with a $25,000 claiming tag in the Open/Optional $20,000 Plus Allowances Claiming race, Playbook and trainer/driver Keith Clark pulled off the mild 5-1 upset over the sloppy track.
Playbook worked his way to the lead over early leavers Sterling Cooper (David Hudon), I Hear Voices (Bill Davis), but Sterling Cooper pressed on to take over command at the first quarter in :27.4. He proceeded to the half in :57 and three-quarters in 1:25.4 before Playbook launched his attack turning for home and got up in the final strides for the victory in 1:55 flat. Prairie Illusion (Scott Knight) cut his 10-length deficit in half down the stretch to show.
Clark shares ownership of the four-year-old Camcracker gelding with Laurence Swalm and Verne Rea of Calgary and Doris McDougall of Cochrane, Alta. The homebred pacer earned his seventh win of the season in 27 starts and 18th lifetime.
Playbook paid $12.90 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.