There is a limited number of Standardbreds that have won a pari-mutuel race at the age of 15, but now Prime Time Bliss is one that can boast such an accomplishment.
On Friday night (March 3), 15-year-old pacer Prime Time Bliss won the fourth race at Fraser Downs for trainer Terry Burstyk and owner Debbie Burstyk of Surrey, B.C.
Prime Time Bliss faced five rivals at least six years younger in the fourth race for $3,000 claiming pacers. Driven by Jim Marino, the old-timer cleared to the lead at the :27.4 opening quarter after leaving from the outside post position over a sloppy track and cruised through middle fractions of 1:00 and 1:29.4 en route to the victory in 2:00. Race favourite Procrastinatinpeat chased one length behind in second and the wide-rallying Imn Seventh Heaven rounded out the top three finish order.
Sent postward as the second-longest shot on the board at odds of 9-1, Prime Time Bliss rewarded his fan following with a win payout of $21.70.
"I was too happy to talk for a few minutes after he won. We are so proud of him," Terry Burstyk told Trot Insider. "He can be tough when he makes front, but you never know. He kind of does his own thing, he takes care of himself and that's why he's still around and he loves it. Jim Marino has won around 20 races with him over the years -- the most wins on any one horse he has driven."
Prime Time Bliss was victorious in his fifth start of the year and now boasts 59 career wins and earnings totalling $331,403. The son of Blissfull Hall out of Armbro Knots took his lifetime mark of 1:52.2 at Mohawk Racetrack in the summer of his four-year-old campaign and later that year headed to Western Canada, where he has been racing ever since. For the past five years, Prime Time Bliss has been with the Burstyks, who have claimed back their pet pacer on two occasions.
According to Standardbred Canada records, the only other horse that has won a pari-mutuel race at Fraser Downs as a 15-year-old is Sharp Control 16 years ago. The Abercrombie-Whitsends Vision gelding was a 2:01.2 winner on January 7, 2001 with Rick White driving for Katherine and Michael Jary.
In British Columbia, Standardbreds can compete in a pari-mutuel race until the end of their 15-year-old year before facing mandatory retirement.
"I think he is going to stand at stud in B.C. soon, but he does love the life as a racehorse," said Burstyk of future plans for Prime Time Bliss, who is well known around the stables. "I think he will miss it and we will miss him as he is a little noisy in the barn plus he is still real sound."
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.