Day two of Fraser Downs' new meet featured three-year-old pacing fillies in a pair of $7,500 first leg divisions of the B.C. Breeders Stakes, and the battles were fierce.
Mach Maiden Heaven had the slight edge in a four-across finish in the opening division for trainer-driver Scott Knight and owner-breeder Lavender Hills Farm of Langley, B.C.
The Marian Young Memorial winner sat fourth through opening fractions :28.2 and :58.3 before advancing first over en route to the 1:27 three-quarters mark. Mach Maiden Heaven collared pacesetter Cheyenne J (Dave Hudon) in the stretch and held off pocket-sitter Promising Girl (James Burke) and the popular British Columbia Sires Stakes champion Yarhos (David McKellar) in photo finish. The winning time was 1:56.4. The Mach Three miss paid $14 for the mild 6-1 upset.
After a summer spent at Running Aces, Slow And Easy delivered on her 1-2 pari-mutuel promise in the following division with Kevin Anderson driving for trainer Debra McCarthy, who also co-owns with Mark Anderson of Willows, California.
With the inside post advantage, Slow And Easy claimed the leading role early and posted a :28.1 first quarter, but gave way to the parked outsider Fast Lane Wealth (Kayla Mills) during the second panel. After the :58.3 half-mile marker, Slow And Easy reclaimed the top spot and opened up two and half lengths as she rolled by three-quarters in 1:27.1. The homebred Kents On Nuke miss was on cruise control the rest of the way and hit the wire in 1:57.3. Alverna (David McKellar) finished one length behind over Fast Lane Wealth. Slow And Easy paid $3.80 to win.
There was another tight finish in the $12,500 Open Pace as Cash Account edged by the popular pacesetter Primary Purpose (Rod Therres) in the final strides to nab the win in 1:54 flat. Carl Sibiga drove the nine-year-old D M Dilinger gelding for trainer and owner Heather Sifert. Beach Boy Toy (Scott Knight) finished over one length behind in third off a pocket trip. The 8-1 fifth choice paid $18.40 for the upset win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.