There were no surprises on Saturday afternoon at Fraser Downs when favourites Royal Morn and Caru Hanover posted front-end scores in their respective stakes finals
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Rod Therres’ Royal Morn left from Post 2 and never looked back in the $40,000 River Rock Casino Resort Cup Final for four-year-old pacing colts & geldings.
The Usher Hanover gelding led the way to the first quarter in :27 and the half :55.1 shaking off a challenge from Happy Larry (Bill Davis). At three-quarters in 1:24.2, Royal Morn switched into another gear and with a :28.4 final frame, he prevailed by four lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:53.1.
Stiletto Spur (Jim Marino) followed the pacesetter to pick up second while Neal Diamonique (David Hudon) closed hard for third.
Therres co-owns the winner of 15 races and almost $230,000 in purses with Charles MacFarlane of Victoria, B.C. Royal Morn is now three-for-three this year with $33,500 in the bank.
In the co-featured $25,000 Miss Valentine Day Final for four-year-old pacing mares, Caru Hanover delivered on her parimutuel promise winning in a career best time of 1:56.2.
The daughter of Artsplace headed straight to the lead from the inside post. The parked Luvinajiffy (Reginald Wonnenberg) applied pressure throughout the opening panels of :28 and :56.3, but by three-quarters in 1:25.4 it appeared as through she was in the clear. As Caru Hanover turned for home, Meter Maid (Jim Marino) popped the pocket and made a late charge, but Caru Hanover held on by a neck for the triumph. Miss Prom (James Burke) finished third.
Trained and driven by Brent Beelby, Caru Hanover has scored two wins and one second in three outings this year. With a total of four lifetime wins, the bay miss has earned nearly $24,000 for Robert Murphy of Surrey, B.C.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.