Dropping out of the Open class, Mach Steady landed in the winner's circle for the first time this year after prevailing in the Friday night feature at Fraser Downs.
Lining up from the inside post in the field scratched down to six in the featured $8,500 conditioned handicap, Mach Steady and catch-driver Scott Knight secured a pocket trip behind the quick-leaving Pureform Mr Toffee (Blaine Chappell) through panels of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:27. With Rum N Raisins (John Abbott) rushing up from the backfield into contention, Mach Steady got the jump on that rival and took aim on the 17-1 longshot leader Pureform Mr Toffee turning for home while 4-5 favourite Joe Dimagio (Kelly Hoerdt), tracking in third, shot up the passing lane. In the three-way fight to the finish, Mach Steady prevailed by a neck in 1:55.1 with Pureform Mr Toffee holding on for second over Joe Dimagio in the photo.
Mach Steady, whose best efforts in six prior starts this year were a pair of third-place finishes last month against Preferred competition, returned $15.40 for the 6-1 upset.
Owned and bred by trainer Randy Rutledge and Jennifer Dodsworth, the 10-year-old Mach Three-Forever Holy gelding notched his 25th career win and is now just shy of the $250,000 earnings mark.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)