Following back-to-back wins last month at Fraser Downs, trainer Jim Marino's Western Summit moved up in class to defeat the top distaffers in the $10,000 featured finale on Friday, March 1.
After winning a pair races at the $14,000 claiming level, the eight-year-old Vertical Horizon-Kismet Killean mare had a $25,000 tag up against Preferred mares. Driver Scott Knight and Western Summit fired off the gate from post five and they retook the lead when Hang On Sloopy (Kelly Hoerdt) got by after a :27.2 contested quarter over the 'good' track. After getting a breather to the half in :58.2, Western Summit was confronted by the slight 9-5 favourite, Grey Sea (John Abbott), who was parked the entire way from the outside post. Western Summit kept Grey Sea at bay as they raced to three-quarters in 1:26.4 and drew clear turning into the stretch en route to her third straight victory in 1:56.2. Grey Sea put up a fight for the runner-up honours with 24-1 trailing tier starter Gin Is Better (Clint Warrington) closing off her cover, but the longshot gained the upper hand in the photo finish.
Western Summit was the second choice on the toteboard and paid $5.90 to win. She is now three-for-four on the year for Marino, who shares ownership with Paul Sanders. The victory was her 27th lifetime and pushed her bankroll to $189,432.
Western Summit completed a sweep of the late Daily Double for Marino, who also watched Million Reasons record her third straight win with a 1:57.2 effort the race prior. Knight drove both Marino trainees after teaming up with a winner from the Brent Hill stable, Watching Marena, to open the eight-race card.
Live harness racing resumes on Saturday, March 2 with post time set for 7 p.m.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)