It was a day of firsts at Fraser Downs as rookie drivers Michael Munoz and Mark Abbott earned their first wins during the Sunday program.
Munoz celebrated his milestone victory after steering his own trainee, four-year-old Vine Street gelding Dirt Roads Scholar, wire-to-wire in the second race for $9,000 claimers. The 26-year-old Okanagan Falls, B.C. resident earned his first win while making just his second start in the sulky. Dirt Roads Scholar, who romped to a six length score in a new mark of 1:56.1, also gave Munoz his first ever training win back in January at Fraser with Jim Marino driving.
Abbott pulled off a 64-1 stunner in his first winning drive aboard Diana Davie trainee Van Can Tistic in the fifth race for maidens. After re-taking the lead past the opening quarter mark, the three-year-old colt gave way to the favourite Mr Prospector, but used the passing lane to come back on to win in 1:59.4 by a head in a three-horse photo. The 23-year-old Surrey, B.C. resident was making his 24th driving start. Van Can Tistic is owned by Ron Julien of Langley, B.C. and Joseph Colborne of Aldergrove, B.C.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.