Brandon Campbell had to be thinking that Grey Sea was nearly unbeatable in the $10,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Fraser Downs on Thursday, April 17.
The key word here is nearly.
Campbell's charge, rail horse Born A Spy, was sent off as the slight second choice at 8-5. Grey Sea got a bit more public support, with 6-5 win odds from post five. When the wings of the gate folded, both of those horses were pointed forward. Campbell managed a pocket seat behind Outlaw Spiced Rum and driver Rod Therres. John Abbott had to take a hold of Grey Sea as she lost her best stride heading into that opening turn, and with the field obtaining position along the pylons Abbott chose to press the pace.
And thus began the game of late night hardball in Cloverdale, B.C. Outlaw Spiced Rum and Grey Sea threw down through three panels — :26.4, :55.2 and 1:23.2 — trading blows and matching strides for the first 75 percent of that race. All that time, Born A Spy was swelling up in the pocket. With Grey Sea not dropping back to provide Campbell with a seam to the outside, a passing lane plunge was in her future. Once the field hit the head of the lane and Campbell had clearance, he left-lined his leading lady to the inside of the pacesetter and she sprinted clear of her rivals. Under the wire in a career best 1:53, Born A Spy bested a resolute and parked the route Grey Sea by just over two lengths. Arrhythmic Dream (Scott Knight) just missed the place position and settled for show.
Trained by Rebecca Kanak for owners Trevor Williams of Landmark, Man. and Harness The Energy Inc. of Water Valley, Alta., Born A Spy (Smart Shark - HF Agent Nintynine) notched her sixth win of the season and 13th lifetime — with five wins in seven starts since entering the Kanak barn in early March. The four-year-old mare now boasts $73,393 in earnings.
Born A Spy's previous trainer, Kelly Hoerdt, enjoyed a solid night at the office in his own right. He won the Thursday lidlifter aboard the maiden-breaking Get To The Choppa (1:56.3; $6.70), the third dash teamed with Itsoverwhenitsover (1:56.1; $13.10) and the nightcap courtesy Licklips Swinghips (1:56; $4.60) for the training triple. A career winner of 2,584 races as a trainer, Hoerdt is on pace to eclipse the $20 million mark in trainer earnings this season.
For the charted results from Thursday's card of harness racing outside of Surrey, B.C., click the following link: Thursday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)