They came, they saw and they conquered at Fraser Downs on a Remembrance Day that will not soon be forgotten by local harness racing fans.
Superstar Ontario drivers Mark MacDonald and Rick Zeron combined to win seven races on the $400,000 BC Breeders Classic Day card and both donated their winnings to help raise funds for 12-year-old Cole Rutter, seriously injured in an ATV accident in September. Young Cole is the son of Fraser Downs trainer Carol St. Amand. Carol took time out from her daily hospital ritual to be at Fraser Downs to personally thank the drivers.
"I cannot thank the drivers, the Standardbred Association and the track enough, this is wonderful," she said.
Working with local trainer Rod Therres, MacDonald won the $100,000 Robert Murphy BC Breeders Stakes driving Royal Morn from the outside post and winning by five lengths in a final time of 1:54.3.
MacDonald also won the $50,000 BC Breeders Stakes for two-year-old colts and geldings by putting undefeated Primary Purpose on the lead before cruising home in a final time of 1:56.1.
MacDonald’s two other victories were in the fillies and mares open with B Bar Marilyn for trainer Amber Lancaster and the $15,000 Claimer with Walter Slopianka-trained Western Collection.
Zeron’s three wins included the $50,000 BC Breeders Stakes Filly final for two-year-olds with the Barry Treen-trained Promisinggoodnews along with the Rick Lancaster-trained stablemates Maxilla Future and Red Star Wildone, both $4,000 claimers.
The major upset of the afternoon was posted in the $100,000 Mary Murphy final when 9-to-1 chance Alexaastrordinaire, driven by Jim Marino, won by 11 lengths in a final time of 1:56.3.
MacDonald and Zeron fans helped the betting turnover at Fraser Downs with over $304,000 wagered on the card.
“The appearances of Mr. MacDonald and Mr. Zeron generated tremendous response,” said Fraser Downs GM Scott Sinclair.
“It was one of our biggest crowds in recent memory. We’ll know in a few days how much money was raised for the Cole Rutter cause.”
Sinclair thanked the BC Standardbred Association for covering the travel expenses of MacDonald and Zeron and also thanked the Fraser Downs drivers for donating their winnings from Sunday’s November 9 card.
Sinclair said management at Fraser Downs would match the total donations.
Click here to view the results from the BC Breeders Classic Day card.
(BCSA/BCSBS, with files from Fraser Downs)
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