Phone Nine One One had no emergencies to call on Thursday (April 4) evening card at Fraser Downs, but the Jim Marino trainee made the one call to get his trainer to a 1,000-win training milestone.
Scott Knight and the gelding took the early lead along the pylons in a $6,000 conditioned pace for maidens. Talladega (David Hudon) was the first to hit the quarter in :28.3, but retreated to the pocket as Phone Nine One One took command of the timer through the half in :59 and three-quarters in 1:29.1. Without looking back, Phone Nine One One opened up and won by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:58. Its Time Iceman (Clinton Warrington) finished third, but was placed second and Talladega was second placed third.
Marino, J J J Stables and Paul Sanders co-own the sophomore Custard The Dragon-Phone Terror gelding. In addition to achieving the 1,000th win for Marino, Phone Nine One One became a maiden no longer as the victory was his first career win in eight tries, moving his bankroll to $22,550. He returned $2.80 to win as the favourite.
Marino, the current leading trainer at Fraser with a three-win lead on the competition and 2023 leading trainer by earnings, has over $8.5 million in career earnings to go along with 1,000 wins. The Surrey, B.C. resident also scored with Senorita Draco ($6.80) in 1:59.2 and Sylvester ($2.60) in 2:02.2 to post a training triple on the card. Knight drove all three Marino students to their respective victories.
Kelly Hoerdt and his student, In High Cotton, went gate-to-wire to win the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Pace in high fashion.
In High Cotton rallied through panels in :26.4, :57 and 1:25 before romping home to win by 7-1/4 lengths with ease. Pirate Booty (Terry Kaufman) finished second with Grey Sea (John Abbott) third.
Hoerdt owns the six-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Olivette Hanover mare with Blair & Erna Corbeil. A winner of $213,317, In High Cotton moved her career win tally to 21 from 92 starts. She returned $3.40 for a win ticket.
There was an accident in race five in which a domino effect led to driver Carson Abbott being unseated from the bike of Sea Treasure. Both horse and driver were reported as fine.
"I am okay," Abbott told Trot Insider afterwards. "Luckily our horse is okay with no injuries, not a scratch on her."
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)