Friday night's harness racing program at Fraser Downs will be one both 22-year-old Kayla Mills and 25-year-old Michael Munoz won't soon forget as they each celebrated career firsts
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Mills scored her first driving win in pari-mutuel action in the seventh race for $4,000 claimers. Making just her fourth career start in the sulky, the Langley reinswoman guided 17-1 longshot Joe Millionaire to a six length triumph in 1:58 over the sloppy track. Mills and the nine-year-old No Nukes gelding, trained and owned by Thomas Bordeau, left from Post 2 and turned back an early challenge from one of her mentors, David Hudon aboard Im The Money, by the half before opening up daylight on the field. The victory was the first for Joe Millionaire since January of last year.
While the victory was Mills' first in pari-mutuel action, she previously enjoyed some success in the bike winning last year's Powder Puff Pace, a non-wagering race featuring all female drivers.
Munoz earned his first training win in the fourth race. Sending out his 11th starter, the Okanagan Falls resident watched four-year-old Vine Street gelding Dirt Roads Scholar break his maiden with a seven and a quarter length victory in 2:00.1 in rein to Jim Marino. The even-money favourite sat fourth early on before rallying three-wide and kicking away from the field. The win was the pacer's first in five career outings.
Earlier on the card, the Miss Onager Claiming Series continued after being postponed due to recent cancellations at Fraser. The $5,000 divisions for $5,500 claiming mares were won by the popular front-stepping Red Star Brooklyn ($3.90) and trainer-driver David McKellar in 1:57.3, and the rallying upsetter Red Star Tomboy ($26.40) with Mike Short in the bike for trainer Diana Davie.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.