Lester Celebrates First Training Win

Published: April 5, 2015 07:51 pm EDT

Four-year-old pacer Raining Bullets' maiden-breaking victory in Easter Sunday's opener at Fraser Downs was also the first career win for horseman Derek Lester.

Raining Bullets was just the fourth starter for the 27-year-old trainer from Surrey, B.C. and was victorious in 1:58.3.

Driver Brandon Campbell tipped Raining Bullets out from the three-hole at the top of the stretch and the D M Dilinger gelding out-sprinted Casino Events, who shot through the passing lane from the pocket only to come up a half-length short at the wire. Favourite Waitin Ona River finished two and three-quarter lengths behind in third after leading through panels of :27.4, :58.3 and 1:28.1.

Raining Bullets returned $11.30 to his backers as the 4-1 third choice in the eight-horse field of non-winners.

After going winless in 15 races as a freshman, James Reen's homebred Raining Bullets made his second start this year from the Lester barn a winning one.

Campbell, Fraser's 2015 leading reinsman, also drove the Richard Remillard-trained Lincoln Blues and his own mare Spearmint Rhino to victories on the 12-race card.

In the afternoon's final race won by Spearmint Rhino, an accident occurred in the homestretch when Jay Majic and Dave Hudon moved out into the path of Must Be Paige, causing her to fall and driver Jamie Gray to bail from his sulky.

Must Be Paige and Gray were both up on their feet shortly after the incident, according to the track's announcer. The mishap occurred near the back of the field towards the outside of the track and did not involve any other horses.

Jay Majic finished seventh and was disqualified for causing the interference to Must Be Paige.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.

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