Two-year-old pacing fillies faced off in the opening leg of the Betty Millbank B.C. Breeders Stakes on Friday night at Fraser Downs with top honours going to favourites Go To The Windows and Run And Tell.
Go To The Windows won her first start in 2:03.2 for trainer/driver Dennis Johnson, who shares ownership of the Allamerican Cobalt filly with breeder Sharon Graham of Surrey, B.C.
She sat third through fractions of :30.3, 1:02.3 and 1:33.2 before kicking home in :29.3 to edge out pacesetter Jennys Big Book (Rod Therres) by half a length. Jans Lucky Girl (David McKellar) finished nearly five lengths behind in third.
Run And Tell won the fastest $7,500 division in 1:59.1 with Kevin Anderson driving for trainer Debra McCarthy and owner/breeder Mark Anderson of Willows, California.
The Power Of Art filly settled away fourth while Lil Dudes Sharona (Scott Knight) and Ladychaterlyslover (Serge Masse) traded turns on the lead through opening fractions of :30 and 1:00.1. Run And Tell then rushed to command en route to the third quarter mark in 1:29 and cruised home to match her lifetime mark that she set while debuting in a maiden race at Running Aces two weeks ago. Ladychaterlyslover stayed for second while Shaleslittlespirit (Jim Marino) followed in third.
Two-year-old pacing fillies return to Fraser Downs next Friday, September 13 for the second elimination leg of the B.C. Breeders Stakes. The third leg will be held on Friday, October 25, followed by the fourth leg on Saturday, November 2, and the finals on Monday, November 11.
Two-time B.C. Breeders Stakes divisional champion Gotta Have Nukes earned the first win of his aged career with a 1:55.2 triumph up the passing lane in the $12,500 Open Pace. Glenn White drove the homebred Kents On Nuke gelding for trainer and owner Rick White of Surrey, B.C. and partner June Kauffman of Woodinville, Washington. Rock Allstar (Jim Marino) finished half a length behind in second while Beach Boy Toy (Scott Knight) -- who led the field through fractions of :28.1, :58.1 abd 1:25.4 -- settled for third one length behind.
In other action, Steven Hudon celebrated his first driving win steering his own trainee Alices Wonderland to a 1:58.2 four and a half length victory in the third race. Hudon trains and co-owns the sophomore filly with fellow Langley, B.C. resident Elizabeth Okum.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.