Itll Be Fine was a repeat winner in the $10,000 Preferred Pace at Fraser Downs, prevailing over stablemate Rum N Raisins in a 1-2 finish for trainer Rick Lancaster on Friday, Dec. 6.
After giving way to Sunshine Boy and Scott Knight through a :26 opening sprint, even-money favourite Itll Be Fine and Dave Hudon bided their time in the pocket through a half in :54.4 half and three-quarters in 1:23 before shooting through the passing lane for the 1:52 victory. John Abbott had Rum N Raisins advancing first-over down the backstretch and they joined the fray, closing within a half-length of the stablemate in the three-across finish and edging out Sunshine Boy in the photo for place.
Lancaster and Leslie Godlien share ownership of Itll Be Fine while Rum N Raisins is owned by Wild Dunes Stables.
Itll Be Fine picked up his 10th win of the season from 36 starts with his seasonal bankroll topping $80,000. The five-year-old Hes Watching-Modern Hanover gelding now boasts 25 career victories and nearly $235,000 in purse earnings.
Hudon also won the seventh race finale for $8,000 claimers with his own trainee Keepsgettingbettor holding on by a neck over Bay Street Buddy in 1:57 flat to push his seasonal win count into double-digit territory.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)