Fraser Downs went postward with a 12-dash program of live racing on Sunday (March 24) that was highlighted by an Open Pace and a pair of eliminations for the Penny Bath Memorial.
The eliminations kicked off the program, as the first two $10,000 dashes on the card featured three-year-old pacing fillies in the Penny Bath.
The first elimination (Race 1) saw the Rod Therres-trained and Serge Masse-driven Village Joules ($2.30) head to the top from post four, cut fractions of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:27.2, and win going away by almost four lengths in 1:56.1.
Top Cash made a late bid from third, but finished three-and-three-quarter lengths back in second. Ocean Wind, who had raced fifth through the mile, finished third four lengths back. Village Joules, who is a daughter of Bettors Delight, has now won three of her four starts this season. The bay is owned by Therres along with fellow Langley, BC residents Carol Ann Leeson and Blair Miller.
Lady Neigh Neigh returned $12.20 when winning the second of the Bath elims (Race 2) after she ground past the sparring leaders and posted a 1:55.2 victory by three quarters of one length.
The Chris Lancaster trainee raced third through fractions of :28.2 and :58.3 before tipping out second over in the third quarter. Scott Knight orchestrated the move after the Kelly Hoerdt-driven Mrs Suhwiggins came first-up to battle The Blue Yak. The leaders battled past the 1:26.2 three-quarters and into the lane, but Lady Neigh Neigh overtook her rivals in the stretch to record the win. The Blue Yak finished second and the Rod Therres-driven Rockin Mystery had late pace to finish third.
Lancaster owns his filly along with fellow Airdrie resident Christopher Lambie. Lady Neigh Neigh is now perfect in 2019 after three starts.
Da Magician made the lead from the rail and faced little challenge when winning the $12,000 Open Pace as the odds-on favourite in 1:53. The five-year-old Dragon Again gelding clipped fractions of :28, :58 and 1:25.3 while tracked by Iwontdothatagain in second and Ready N Steady in third. The field maintained that order through the lane as Da Magician finished a length better than the pocket sitter. Buddy Weiser was the only horse to change position in the race, finishing sixth after sitting behind Incognito Cowboy in seventh for the mile.
Owned by trainer-driver Serge Masse, Da Magician won his fifth race from eight starts this season and his 32nd from 60 overall, earning $376,889. He paid $2.50 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.