Off at 10-1 odds, Stonebridge Jade upset the field scratched down to seven in the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Pace on Thursday evening (May 2) at Fraser Downs. The John Boschman student went gate-to-wire and fended off the favourite to win the feature.
As the car pulled away, three stretched across the track in a battle for the top. Going into the first turn, Stonebridge Jade (Allan Molloy) achieved the honours of controlling the tempo through the :27.2 opening panel, followed by Hotpieceoface (John Abbott) and favoured In High Cotton (Kelly Hoerdt). The field continued in single file through the half in :58.1. In High Cotton was the first to make a move just before the three-quarters in 1:26.1. The favourite gave chase through to the stretch, but she was unable to catch the pacesetting Stonebridge Jade, who won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:54.3. In High Cotton had to settle for second and B On The Hunt (Scott Knight) took the show spot.
Boschman owns the four-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight out of the Art Major mare Aria J who recorded her second win of the year and 10th career tally. In 38 trips to the track, Stonebridge Jade has pocketed $69,590. She paid $22 as the upset victor.
Trainer Jim Marino tripled up in victories on the Thursday card. Scott Knight piloted both Western Summit ($9.20) to a one-length score in 1:53.2 and Ara You Crazy ($4.70) to a 1:56 victory by a nose while Brad Watt scored with Marino's Senorita Draco ($6.50) by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:59.1. Marino currently leads all Fraser trainers with 36 tallies on the year.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)