Driver Tim Brown worked out a perfect second over trip aboard reigning class champion Clintons Escape to capture another $12,500 Open Pace on Friday night at Fraser Downs
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In the Friday feature, Nobody Can (Jim Marino) blasted to command from the inside post position ahead of At Last (Kevin Anderson) and Primary Purpose (Rod Therres) while Camblazer (Dave Hudon) abandoned his attempt for the lead and took back into fourth place before the :27.3 opening quarter mark.
As the field raced in front of the grandstand for the first time and neared the :57-second half-mile marker, driver Tim Brown sent Clintons Escape, who won last week's Open event in a season's best 1:52.2, first over from fifth flushing out cover in the form of 8-5 favourite Primary Purpose.
Primary Purpose moved up into second down the backside and alongside the leader at the 1:25.1 third quarter station. The top two raced head-to-head into the final turn with Primary Purpose beginning to edge out in front.
Primary Purpose eventually wore down Nobody Can in the stretch, but couldn't hold off the rallying Clintons Escape as he swept on by to prevail for the second straight week in 1:54 by one and a quarter lengths. Primary Purpose finished second while Nobody Can held on for third.
The four-year-old Clintons Cigar-Emotionaliscape gelding, who now sports a seasonal record reading 6-3-6 in 21 starts with over $50,000 earned, is owned by trainer Keith Clark of De Winton, Alta. and Allan Neurauter of High River, Alta. The win was his 19th liftime and boosted his overall bankroll to $241,801.
Clintons Escape paid $8.70 to win as the 3-1 second choice in the eight-horse field.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.