He is the hottest horse on Canada's west coast. He is Sunshine Boy, and he's the top older pacer currently competing at Fraser Downs.
The six-year-old son of Sunshine Beach had the majority of the public support in the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace on Friday, Feb. 23, and he delivered once again for his supporters and connections.
Scott Knight sent Sunshine Boy forward from post five and eventually cleared Itll Be Fine (David Hudon) to land on the lead before the :27 opening quarter. From there, Sunshine Boy sauntered to the half in :56.1 before a backside blaze strung out the pacers. The third station was reached in 1:23.4 with Sunshine Boy up two lengths on his closest rival. That gap narrowed approaching the wire, with Itll Be Fine angling into the passing lane for a late lunge. Sunshine Boy held position, hitting the wire a neck better than Itll Be Fine with the mile timed in 1:51.4. Longshot Bad Moon Horizon (Tyson Jacoby) was best of the rest in third.
Sunshine Boy (Sunshine Beach - Betterfrombehind) picked up his third win in three seasonal starts for trainer Jim Marino, who co-owns the pacer with J J J Stables of Prince George and Paul Sanders of Surrey, B.C. Notching his 26th career win in his 71st start, Sunshine Boy has accrued 12 of those victories in his last 16 starts at Fraser Downs dating back to last September.
The leading dash winning trainer of 2023 at Fraser Downs, Kelly Hoerdt made his presence felt quickly after recently shipping some of his horses west from Alberta. He picked up two wins in three training attempts in his seasonal debut on Thursday night, then came back on Friday night to win with three of his four trainees. Hoerdt found his way to the winner's circle courtesy Bay Street Buddy ($3.70; 1:54.2), Light My Shadow ($5; 1:55.2) and Armycaptin Hanover ($6.80; 1:52.3) from his own stable and also picked up a catch-driving tally with Minnekhada Joe ($8.10; 1:55.3).
Of note, there's a change to the Fraser Downs schedule for next week, with live harness racing returning on Friday, March 1 and a special Saturday night card for one week only on March 2.
To view the full results from Friday's card at Fraser Downs, click the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)