Western Nitro stepped back up into the Open class on Saturday night and wore down his pacesetting stablemate Killean Cut Kid to earn his fourth straight win and the lion's share of the $12,500 purse
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In the third race feature, Killean Cut Kid and Scott Knight took command from post five in the seven-horse field and blazed past fractions of :26,2, :54.1 and 1:22.4 with 8-5 favourite Western Nitro and trainer-driver David McKellar following loosely in the pocket. Western Nitro began to close in on his barn buddy approaching the third quarter station and pulled out down the lane where he surged ahead to win in 1:52.4 by one and a half lengths. Killean Cut Kid held second while suffering broken equipment and the Jim Marino-driven Nobody Can finished third.
Western Nitro paid $5.40 to win for the 30th time in his career. He now boasts a seasonal record reading 6-3-0 in nine starts with $40,875 banked for owner Richard Young of Surrey, B.C. Lifetime, the nine-year-old Western Hanover-Tyber Song gelding has earned $294,364.
Western Nitro's victory was the first of three training-driving tallies on the 11-race card for McKellar. Four-year-old As Promised mare Promise Me Pez ($6.80) and four-year-old Usher Hanover miss Red Star Snob ($5.10) completed his triple.
Between Saturday night's ninth and 10th races, Fraser Downs hosted its annual Powder Puff Derby for the Horsemen's Benevolent Fund featuring female drivers in jog carts.
The non-wagering race was won by 18-year-old Langley, B.C. resident Emily Leak and retiring mare Shes Rarin. Leak sent Shes Rarin three-wide down the backstretch and cleared to command past the third quarter mark. The duo then opened up daylight on the field en route to victory in 2:05.1.
The nine-year-old Rambaran-Ellen Storm mare, trained and owned by Dan Ingram of Langley, B.C., made her final start on the racetrack as she will now begin her second career as a broodmare. The winner of 37 races and $115,512 in purses will be bred to double millionaire Vintage Master.
Leak comes by her skills naturally, hailing from the Megens family. Her father is Ontario horseman Paul Megens.
Alina MacLeod finished second aboard Ready To Go and Sandra Roberts came in third with Prairiewynd Spring. The field also included Sue Allan aboard Camnoose Bay, Camille Webb in rein to Daves Showboat, and Cherie Paskaruk with Told Ya Fred.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Fraser Downs.