After a delayed opening due to weather, Fraser Downs launched the 2024 season on Thursday (Feb. 8) evening and Hang On Sloopy wired the field in the featured $8,500 fillies and mares conditioned claiming pace to headline the seven-race card.
Scott Knight and the Reg Wonnenberg student sped from post five to the top. Posting panels in :28.1, :58.2 and 1:27, Hang On Sloopy maintained a buffer between herself and the field. Down the lane, Gin Is Better (Clint Warrington) sped home, but was bested at the wire by a nose in 1:55.4 by Hang On Sloopy. Mystic Shadow (Brad Watt) rounded out the top three.
Hang On Sloopy (Betterthancheddar-Luvinajiffy) was bred and is owned by Wonnenberg and Gail Brassington. The six-year-old mare earned her first win in her first start this year and her 11th win from 82 career starts. She moved her career sum to $115,527. As the favourite in the field of five, Hang On Sloopy returned $3.40 to win.
Fraser Downs will host live racing two nights a week, mostly on Thursdays and Fridays, through April 26 with post time at 7 p.m. After that, racing will return in September and continue through the end of the year. To view Fraser Downs' full 2024 race date calendar, click here.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)