Driver Michael Hennessy worked out a perfect pocket trip aboard Lil Thunderdragon and wore down the persistent Jolt Of Whiskey in the final strides to win the $15,000 Wendell Smith Memorial Final on Friday night at Fraser Downs.
Elimination winner Jolt Of Whiskey (John Hudon) fired to command from an outside post to take the lead in a field scratched down to eight with Red Star Pirate a no-show. Lil Thunderdragon settled in second with stablemate Lildudepurrfection (Scott Knight) third and the other elimination winner, D On Sanders (Jim Marino), parked with 6-5 favourite Worth Watching (Serge Masse) at the rail.
Jolt Of Whiskey posted a :28.1 opening panel before Lildudepurrfection went on the attack into the clubhouse turn and edged ahead down the backstretch. However, Jolt Of Whiskey fought back and kept his challenger parked out past the :57.3 half-mile mark.
As Jolt Of Whiskey approached the 1:26.2 third quarter station, Worth Watching fanned three-wide. Jolt Of Whiskey maintained the lead down the lane, but Lil Thunderdragon scooted up the passing lane to steal the victory in a photo finish, clocking the mile in 1:57.3. Second-place Jolt Of Whiskey was followed by Imn Seventh Heaven (Keith Clark), who came on to show over the favourite.
Lil Thunderdragon paid $18.60 to win.
Scott Knight trains the Dragon Again colt for owner Darl Baron of Langley, B.C. The winning connections were joined by family members of the late horseman Wendell Smith, who passed away in 2010, in the winner's circle following the race.
The Wendell Smith Memorial Stake is for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings that are B.C. owned, bred or sired and non-winners of $15,000 lifetime (no allowances) as of February 1.
Lil Thunderdragon, who earned his first win of the year in nine starts, now holds a career record reading 2-1-1 in 13 outings with $22,441 banked in purses.
Driver Brandon Campbell led all winners on the 13-race program earning four victories, including three for trainer Kelly Hoerdt.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.