It was four-year-old pacer Itll Be Fine's time to shine in the $10,000 Preferred Handicap on Friday night (Dec. 8) at Fraser Downs.
Sunshine Boy had been dominating the Open ranks for the past five weeks, but the 1-5 favourite was never in contention this time out. A back-to-back Open winner prior to Sunshine Boy's reign, Itll Be Fine returned to his winning form in this week's edition for trainer/co-owner Rick Lancaster.
Itll Be Fine and driver Kelly Hoerdt left from post four alongside Mach Steady (John Abbott) and forged ahead in the turn before being looped by that foe as they passed the quarter in :27.3. Hoerdt settled for the pocket trip and followed the leader through middle splits of :56.4 and 1:25.2. The backfield started to angle off the pylons in the final turn and the pacers fanned across the track for the stretch drive with the pocket-popping Itll Be Fine getting up to score in a neck decision. Itll Be Fine was a 1:54.2 winner over Vertical Squirt (Clint Warrington), who took the inside route up the passing lane, with Waitin Ona River a length back in third. Outside assignee Sunshine Boy (Scott Knight), who gapped the gate and trailed the field throughout the mile, edged out Mach Steady at the end for fourth place.
Following three consecutive third-place finishes, Itll Be Fine was sent off as the 7-2 second choice on the toteboard and paid $9.80 to win. The Hes Watching-Modern Hanover gelding improved his seasonal record to 8-8-7 from 31 starts and lifted his annual income over the $70,000 mark for Lancaster and co-owner Leslie Godlien. The career winner of 15 races has earned $153,807 in purses over 59 starts.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.