After sweeping the filly B.C. Breeders Stakes on Friday night at Fraser Downs, driver Jim Marino picked up where he left off in winning Saturday's first $7,500 division of the Robert Millbank Breeders Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts.
Marino sent Richard Lancaster trainee Westridge Warrior wire-to-wire to win the Saturday opener by a neck in 2:02.4. The grey Blissfull Hall-Meeko And Tumba colt left from the inside post position and carved out fractions of :31, 1:03, and 1:33 before holding off the popular D On Sanders (Rod Therres) in the stretch for his maiden-breaking triumph while pocket-sitter One Last Shot (Kevin Anderson) rounded out the top three finishers one and a half lengths behind.
Westridge Warrior paid $8.60 to win as the 3-1 second choice. He is owned and bred by the Wild Dunes Stables of Delta, B.C.
Driver J.F. Gagne worked out a perfect pocket trip to help first-time starter Kootenay Positive to a 1:59.3 triumph in the second division.
Also leaving from the inside post position, Kootenay Positive posted a :28.4 opening quarter before giving way to favourite Kesouttamyleague (Kevin Anderson) during the second panel. The new leader carved out middle fractions of 1:01 and 1:30.2, but was collared by the quick-closing Kootenay Positive at the wire. Marino settled for third with I Dont Really Care trailing seven and a half lengths.
The Allamerican Cobalt-Kootenay Finale gelding, bred by Robert Chadwick of Surrey, B.C., is trained by Kyle Chadwick for local owner Barbara Chadwick. He paid $9.50 to win as the 7-2 third choice.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Fraser Downs.