Boiling Oar turned his sophomore debut into a stakes victory as he prevailed in the $40,000 B.C. Sales Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts on Sunday afternoon (March 4) at Fraser Downs.
Jim Burke worked out the winning trip aboard the Shadow Play-Arm In Arm gelding, who won the Dan Inghram Memorial last year at Fraser in addition to a division of the Century Bets Stakes in Alberta. Winning owner J J J Stables and trainer Jim Marino also took third prize in the Sales Stakes as B.C. Breeders Stakes champion Ron Bakardi debuted with a top three finish.
Leaving from the inside post positions, favourites Ron Bakardi (Marino) and Canadian Pharoh (Rod Therres) battled for the early lead, with the latter clearing into a :27.4 first quarter. Meanwhile, Boiling Oar got away third from post four and followed in line past the :59 half-mile mark before making his move. Boiling Oar took over command at the 1:27.2 third quarter mark and pulled two and a half lengths clear in deep stretch to win in a career-best time of 1:55.4 over a 'good' track. Canadian Pharoh held second with the winner's stablemate following across the finish line in the passing lane.
Sent postward as the 3-1 third wagering choice, Boiling Oar paid $8.90 to win. The victory improved his lifetime record to three-for-four and doubled his bankroll.
This week's $12,000 Open Pace was won by Paul Sanders and Christine Cutting's Royal Renegade in gate-to-wire fashion. Dave Hudon drove the six-year-old JK Royal Flush-Palma Ceia gelding, who pulled off a 9-1 upset defeating the favoured Kelly Hoerdt stablemates Iwontdothatagain (Hoerdt) and Cool Cowboy (Marino) in 1:54.2. The Justin Currie trainee notched his third Open victory this year.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.