The Topnotch Stables' Blue Grotto ($4.90) proved best of all yet again on Sunday (Dec. 29) at Fraser Downs, posting a 1:53.2 win from just off the pace in the $10,800 Fillies and Mares Open.
Trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt floated the four-year-old Art Major mare forward at race's outset, and the pair landed in third behind pacesetter Tahiti Seelster (Billy Davis Jr.) through a :27 first quarter. Blue Grotto enjoyed a clear stalking trip through middle fractions of :56.2 and 1:24.2 before making her move at the eighth pole. Blue Grotto found her best stride upon cornering for home, surging to the fore and defeating pocket rival Sell A Bit N (William Tainsh Jr.) by a length. Paperback Thriller (Brandon Campbell) circled off cover from last to take third over the engulfed Tahiti Seelster.
It was Blue Grotto's fourth win in her last five starts, all at the Open or top conditioned levels.
Trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt expanded his lead atop the Fraser Downs standings when driving four more winners while also collecting three training wins on the day.
Hoerdt started the day winning four of the first five races on the card. He drove 1-9 favourite Cusdmagicdragon ($2.10) from his stable to victory in the opener, then scored a natural hat trick when driving Senseless Beauty ($5.20) and Fuzzywuzzywasabear ($5.80) to victory. A few races later, Hoerdt collected his fifth driving victory and third training victory on the day with a wire-to-wire mile from Thankyaverymuch ($4.40).
To view Sunday's complete results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.