Horseman Glenn White capped off a perfect Friday night at the races with a victory aboard his own trainee Jet To The Beach in the $35,000 Marian Young Memorial Pace at Fraser Downs.
The stakes event was for B.C.-bred three-year-old fillies that were non-winners of $30,000 lifetime.
Jet To The Beach delivered on her 1-5 pari-mutuel promise with a 1:59 career-best effort in the rain over a 'good' track surface, and remains undefeated in her sophomore season for owner Ron Julien of Langley, B.C.
Leaving from post three, Jet To The Beach drove on to take the lead over insider Bossy (John Hudon) before the first turn and never looked back. The Jeremes Jet filly posted fractions of :27.4, :59.2 and 1:29.3 en route to the one-length victory over Yesyoucan (Paul Davies), who closed through the passing lane for the runner-up honours. Bossy finished third.
Following the race, the judges inquiry sign was lit pertaining to three separate incidents -- one of which concerned Jet To The Beach as Hudon launched a claimed of foul on the winner for interference away from the starting gate. However, the driver's objection was ultimately disallowed after being reviewed by the judges.
Jet To The Beach is now three-for-three this year and has a 4-1-2 record from 10 starts lifetime, with earnings soaring to $47,520.
Just one race prior to the stakes event, Gotta Have Nukes pulled off a 21-1 upset in this week's $10,500 Open Handicap Pace as 3-5 favourite Sterling Cooper surrendered in the stretch after a taxing opening quarter.
The Open began with four horses leaving and Sterling Cooper (Bill Davis) caught outside trying to drive on through a contested :26.2 first quarter. The favourite did eventually clear over inside starter Buddys Hope (Rod Therres) in front of the grandstand with 5-2 second choice Comes Home First (Jim Marino) left parked out.
Sterling Cooper led the way past the half in :56 with Comes Homes First moving up on even terms by the 1:25.1 three-quarters mark. Meanwhile, Gotta Have Nukes, who avoided the early tussle racing in fifth-place, moved second over and rallied three-wide coming off the final turn.
Down the stretch, Sterling Cooper was swarmed on both sides, with Gotta Have Nukes farthest out and closing fastest to prevail by one length in 1:54.4. Comes Home First finished second while a from-last Delite Debettor (John Hudon) had the edge in the show photo.
Glenn White drove the seven-year-old son of Kents On Nukes for his brother Rick White and co-owner June Kauffman of Woodinville, Washington. The win was the first in just over a span of two years for Gotta Have Nukes, who is trained by Rick's wife Janet White.
Glenn White went three-for-three on the 12-race card as he also drove Coastal Treasure ($8.50) to victory for Rick and Janet White in a $4,500 claiming pace for fillies and mares.
In other action, trainer/driver Travis Tracey doubled up, scoring with full-sisters Pureform Empress ($19.50) and Pureform Pandora ($74.70). The upset-minded siblings are by Valet Victory out of the Cams Card Shark mare Triptronic Hanover, both bred by Calvin Nyuli of Abbotsford, B.C.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.