A runner-up in the first two Preferreds of the Fraser Downs fall meet to Whiplash Smile and then Itll Be Fine, Sunshine Boy got the best of those two rivals in a photo finish on Friday, Sept. 27.
Driven by Scott Knight, Sunshine Boy turned in a career-best performance as he won this week's $10,000 Preferred Pace in 1:51.1 by a head over Whiplash Smile (Rod Therres) and Itll Be Fine (David Hudon).
The field of five lined up in program order off the gate and even-money favourite Sunshine Boy looped Itll Be Fine after a :26.2 opening panel with Whiplash Smile following in third. Sunshine Boy continued to lead the way through a half in :55.1 and three-quarters in 1:22.4 with Whiplash Smile out to challenge and Itll Be Fine waiting for the passing lane. With rivals on both sides closing in down the stretch, Sunshine Boy dug in for the win.
The six-year-old Sunshine Beach-Betterfrombehind gelding is owned by trainer Jim Marino along with J J J Stables and Paul Sanders. He boasts wins in nine of his 20 starts this year with seven other top three finishes. His 32nd win was his fastest yet and pushed his bankroll to $312,303.
Knight, Marino and J J J Stables doubled up on the nine-race card, also scoring with Joe Rich ($3.30) in a claiming-conditioned pace.
Allan Molloy had the hot hands on Friday with five wins from six drives on the program. He drove a pair of winners from the Rebecca Kanak stable in Light My Shadow ($6.90) and West Coast Beach ($6.40). Molloy also won with the Ashley Ederer-trained River Boat Rosie ($19.90), trainer John Boschman's Play Misty For Me ($6.40) and Outlaw Duke Worthy ($13.40) for conditioner Travis Tracey.
The 42-year-old Port Hardy, B.C. reinsman is currently in the midst of a career-best season having driven winners of more than $173,000. He's earned 31 of his 180 wins this year.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)