The B.C. Sale Stakes for both divisions of sophomore pacers highlighted the nine-race Thursday, Dec. 26 card at Fraser Downs, with Buddy Knocks and Over Ice each going down the road in their respective $20,000 divisions.
The pacing colts went first and Buddy Knocks left from post four with driver Scott Knight as the 7-2 second choice.
The complexion of the race changed early when 1-2 favourite Wannabeabigstar (Phil Giesbrecht) got rough gaited and briefly went off stride leaving the gate, allowing Buddy Knocks to swoop to the lead and lead the quintet to the quarter in :28. Buddy Knocks had things his way to the half in :57.3 before he looked to scoot away on the lead, opening up by two lengths at three-quarters in 1:25.4 as Wannabeabigstar ranged back into contention moving into second. Wannabeabigstar was in hot pursuit turning for home, but the favourite would not reach as Buddy Knocks fired home in :27.4 to coast to a two-length victory in 1:53.3. Betterthanluck (Allan Molloy) finished third, nine lengths back of the winner.
The mile was a career-best effort for Buddy Knocks, who is trained by Rod Therres for owner Veikko Pajunen. The three-year-old gelded son of Betterthancheddar-Yoga Pants has won two of 11 this year, banking $45,300 on the season and more than $120,000 for his career.
Over Ice (pictured above) followed suit with a front-end score to extend her current win streak to four with Giesbrecht in the bike.
Sent off as the 4-5 choice in the field of four, Over Ice protected her rail starting position to grab an early two-length lead to the quarter in :28. The trio of challengers showed their respect to Over Ice, remaining single-file to the halfway point in :57.4. Over Ice remained alone on the lead to the three-quarter pole in 1:26.2 as Kootenay Cocoa (Tyson Jacoby) fired first-over and into second headed into the final turn. Kootenay Cocoa closed the gap in the final stanza, but could not get past the leader's wheel as Over Ice coasted to the wire a length clear in 1:54.1. Catchmegracefully (Glenn White) took the show dough.
Trained by Jim Marino, Over Ice has won six of 17 on the season, banking $161,813 on the year. The homebred daughter of Custard The Dragon-Arm In Arm is an 11-time career winner, having earned $242,313 in her career for owner J J J Stables.
The card concluded with Grey Sea and driver John Abbott going gate-to-wire as the 3-5 favourite in the $10,000 Filly and Mare Preferred Pace.
Scratched down to a field of seven, Grey Sea set sail of the gate, quickly grabbing command through an opening quarter of :26.4. Grey Sea continued to lead to the half, reaching that station in :56 as Outlaw Spiced Rum (Giesbrecht) was pinned in the pocket with Danzig To Dharma (Robert Scrannage) unable to find a seat on the first turn racing to her outside. Abbott stayed on the accelerator on the backstretch, sprinting to three-quarters with Grey Sea in 1:24.1 while Outlaw Spiced Rum was able to shake loose from the pocket. Outlaw Spiced Rum closed in the lane, but could not reach Grey Sea, who held on by three parts of a length in 1:53.1. Ima Beach Diva (Knight) closed for third at 36-1.
Seaspray Stables' homebred five-year-old daughter of Custard The Dragon-Preference has won nine of 33 in 2024, posting $90,200 in seasonal earnings. Trained by Gordan Abbott, Grey Sea is a 23-time winner for her career, sporting $185,750 in lifetime earnings.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)