Serge Masse’s Da Magician ($4.50) continued to show his foes his tight form on Sunday (Dec. 30). The Paul Davies-driven bay went to the top early and wasn’t headed en route to a convincing win in Fraser Downs’ $12,000 Open Pace.
The field was reduced to five after Illwinifican was scratched from the affair, which was contested over a ‘fast’ track.
Da Magician was sent postward as the public’s 6-5 second choice, and the gelded son of Dragon Again looked strong as he recorded his 27th career win.
Davies watched as the Rod Therres-driven Buddy Weiser headed to the point early. Davies then tipped his four-year-old mount wide and made a brief first-over trek.
Da Magician cleared to the lead just after the quarter pole flashed to life in :27.2. The proceedings were just a formality from there on in.
Da Magician spun off the middle fractions (:56.4, 1:25) before coming home with some late pace. He sealed the deal with a :27.2 final quarter and pinned a defeat on Buddy Weiser, the public’s even-money selection who had chased from the pocket.
The Travis Bowman-driven Buddys Hope, who had raced third through the mile, secured third place.
Da Magician's win time was 1:52.3, just one-fifth of a second off his life's mark.
A successful $2 exactor wager returned $7.20, while a winning $2 triactor bet paid $20.
The Serge Masse-trained Da Magician has had a pleasing 2018 campaign for his connections. He has compiled a record of 14 wins, four second-place efforts and a lone third from 24 starts. Da Magician has banked $98,659 in seasonal purses and has now banked $342,449 overall.
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Fraser, click the following link: Sunday Results – Fraser Downs.