Thirteen sophomore pacing fillies were squared off in a set of $7,500 divisions for this year’s Mary Murphy Breeders Stake at Fraser Downs on Sunday, and in both instances the favourites failed to get the job done.
Mach Maiden Heaven turned a two-hole trip into a 9-2 upset in the first elimination for trainer/driver Scott Knight. The daughter of Mach Three-Greek Maiden stalked Cheyenne J through fractions of :28.2, :58 and 1:26.4 before pouncing on her tempo-setting foe and using a :29.1 closing quarter to record the win by 1-1/2 lengths over Slow And Easy in 1:56.1. Race favourite Yarhos rallied late and grabbed the third prize.
Lavender Hills Farm of Langley, BC bred and owns the five-time winner, who improved this year’s record to 3-1-3 from 11 trips behind the starting gate. She’s managed to stash away more than $31,000 in lifetime earnings.
Two Stitches went to the front and didn’t look back in the second division for the team of driver Dave Hudon and trainer Jim Marino. The daughter of Modern Art-Thurstons Love E knifed out splits of :27.3, :56.3 and 1:26 before stepping home in a :30-second clip to secure the one-length decision in 1:56. Countess Serenade was next best, with Alverena taking home the show dough.
It was a lifetime best performance for the homebred filly, who is owned by Marino and Herb Boggs of Duncan, BC. After going winless in eight starts as a rookie, Two Stitches has answered with a 3-for-15 record this year. She’s banked $21,607 to date.
Marlin Hanover pulled off a 32-1 stunner when he won as the longest shot on the board in the $12,500 Open Pace. The five-year-old son of Bettors Delight-Maura Hanover was treated to a two-hole trip for most of the mile before popping out late and posting the half-length score over Beach Boy Toy in 1:54. Garden Gate LL was third.
Kayla Mills guided the pacer to his 17th lifetime win for trainer Scott Knight and owner Robert Collier of Victoria, BC. The career winner of $64,489 has manufactured a 7-3-1 record from 17 starts this year.
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Fraser Downs.