A spectacular last-to-first sweep was turned in by Reserve Forces in Sunday’s $13,000 Open Pace at
Fraser Downs, and that was music to the ears of the longshot players who cashed in on the 29-1 shot.
The Fraser Downs’ faithful made Royal Morn the 4-5 favourite based on the fact that he entered the featured event a perfect three-for-three in 2009. Extending the streak to four, however, proved to be a challenge.
Father Knows Best and Cash Account battled tooth and nail to the opening quarter in :26.4, with the latter eventually clearing to the top. Royal Morn, who was parked at the quarter pole, was still on the outside looking in as the field marched by the mid-way point in :56.2.
He forged his way to the engine going to the three-quarter pole, but was pressed by the marker in 1:25.4 by Neal Diamonique. The tough trips eventually caught up with both pacers, as did the majority of the backfield.
Reserve Forces and trainer/driver David McKellar sat last for the first half of the mile before getting into the outside flow. They made a three-wide bid while marching up to be fifth at the three-quarter pole and improved to be second as the top of the stretch.
A :29.2 final quarter was just enough for the five-year-old son of Real Desire to post the neck victory over Warrawee Iceman in a time of 1:55.4. Classy Character rallied to grab the show dough despite being parked every step of the mile.
Robert Murphy of Surrey, BC holds the papers on Reserve Forces, who has assembled a 2-2-1 record in his first six starts of the 2009 season. The lion’s share of the purse bumped his lifetime cash stash to $152,384.
To view Sunday’s results, click here.