In High Cotton was first in line at every panel before going home a winner for the third straight week in the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap Pace at Fraser Downs on Thursday, April 18.
Second choice Grey Sea (John Abbott) battled In High Cotton (Kelly Hoerdt) fiercely for the front through the opening panel in :27.3. After that split, Hoerdt was able to assume command with his trainee on the front end from the pylons. In High Cotton commanded the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:26.3 uncontested. Down the stretch, Grey Sea made one final lunge, but was bested by a length at the wire by In High Cotton. Hottieonthehorizon (David Hudon) was content with third. The final time of the mile was clocked in 1:55.2.
The six-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere and the Western Hanover mare Olivette Hanover is owned by Hoerdt and Blair & Erna Corbeil. A winner of $223,317, she won her fourth race in 11 starts this year and her 23rd race from 94 career starts. In High Cotton was the bettors' choice in the mile and returned $3.50 as such.
Rod Therres posted a training hat trick on the Thursday evening card as he drove Stonebridge Jade ($40) to a one-length victory in 1:53.2 and Allan Molloy piloted Rollin Withholly A ($4.20) to a 1:54.1 score by a head and Martini Please ($2.80) to a 1-1/2-length victory in 1:58. The Langley, B.C. resident is closing in on a 1,000 career win training milestone with now 987 victories and 13 remaining.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)