Veteran harness driver, Mike Downey rattled off a driving triple during Victoria Day festivities at Fredericton Raceway. Competing over muddy track conditions during a cool and rainy holiday weekend, Downey capped off the triple with a victory in the featured Victoria Day Pace.
Hyperion Blue Chip recorded a three and a half length triumph in the afternoon's top class, stopping the clock in 2:02. Downey was uncontested on his way to the front and benefitted from slow early fractions, then paced a final panel in :29. It was the second win in only five starts for the five year old son of American Ideal. The 9-5 second choice on the toteboard made it an impressive win for owner, Dr. Mitchell Downey of Saint John, NB Ace On The River and Ideal Ticket made it second and third, respectively.
Downey scored earlier on the 12-dash card with a pair of nine-year old veteran pacers, also owned by his son Dr. Downey. Night Talker, a son of Western Ideal, matched the time of the feature winner with a mile in 2:02. Kass Hall kicked off the triple with his second straight win of the season in 2:01.4.
Gilles Barrieau also drove three winners on the program. Barrieau scored with Indigo Artist for owner-trainer Percy Jones in a time of 2:01.3. The four-year-old gelding earned a win in 1:55.3 early last month at Pompano Park in Florida.
Barrieau connected earlier in the card with Melodys Cookie Boy in 2:03.1. The eight year old son of Largo, co-owned by Gregory Hughes and Bill Watts, is making a successful comeback to the track after missing all of last year due to injury. Barrieau started off his triple by guiding Bikini Beach to a first career win. The three-year-old filly is a daughter of World Champion Somebeachsomewhere. She stopped the clock in 2:04 over the track rated two seconds slow.
Other winners were Dusty Lane Oscar (Wayne Watson) in 2:01, Queens Or Better (Scott Hubbard) in 2:03, Rose Valley (Mike Campbell) in 2:02, Doyabelieveinme (Dale Spence) in 2:03, Miss Paula D (Scott Hubbard) in 2:00.4 and Woodmere Sandollar (Stephen Trites) in 2:04.1.
The next card of harness racing at Fredericton Raceway goes Saturday June 1st, with post time at 1 p.m.
(HRNB)
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Fredericton Raceway.