Buddy Weiser and No Guarantees were repeat winners in Fraser Downs' $11,000 Open events, which both ended in close calls on Friday night (March 10).
Buddy Weiser ($4.80) lasted on the lead to score his third win in a row for trainer Rod Therres and owner Veikko Pajunen of Vancouver, B.C.
Driver Serge Masse directed the five-year-old Western Ideal gelding through panels of :26.4, :57.1 and 1:25.3 before holding off the pocket-pulling favourites, Illwinifican and Dennis Johnston, by a nose in a season's-best 1:54. Premium Stock and Jim Marino finished less than a length back in third.
Buddy Weiser has banked $17,195 in six outings so far this year.
Trained by Debra McCarthy and driven by Paul Davies, J J J Stables' No Guarantees ($6.70) rallied home off a three-hole trip to nose out the popular pacesetters, Tahiti Seelster (:27, :56.2, 1:24.4) and Dave Hudon, at the wire in a career-best 1:54.1 and earn her second consecutive victory in the top distaff pace. Third prize went to Somewhere A Place and Serge Masse.
The four-year-old daughter of Shadow Play now has three wins in seven starts this year and $30,680 in the bank.
Trainer Justin Currie went on a hot streak mid-card winning three races in a row with Chewy Baca ($4.30) and Balzac Billy ($8.60), both driven by Travis Bowman, and Jazzy Jay ($7.70), with Jim Marino driving.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.