The winners of the last two editions of the Preferred Pace at Fraser Downs duked it out down the stretch in their rematch on Friday, March 22, with favoured Armycaptin Hanover besting trailing tier starter Sunshine Boy in a photo finish.
Those rivals clashed in a $12,000 Open Pace this week. The inside three consisting of Joe Rich (Brad Watt), Itll Be Fine (David Hudon) and Armycaptin Hanover (Allan Molloy) left together with Sunshine Boy (Scott Knight) following closely behind. Itll Be Fine pressed on to take the early lead over Joe Rich while Armycaptin Hanover dropped back behind Sunshine Boy through a :27.1 opening panel.
Coming off the first turn, Knight made his move with Sunshine Boy and last week's winner swept to command as the field moved in front of the grandstand for the first time. The half-mile went in :56.2.
Molloy, with the live catch-drive behind the favoured Armycaptin Hanover, sent his charge after the leader down the backstretch and applied pressure as they passed three-quarters in 1:23.3. Sunshine Boy put up a fight through the stretch, but Armycaptin Hanover wore him down late for the 1:51.3 victory. The eight-year-old Captaintreacherous-Allamerican Coed gelding shaved one-fifth of a second off his lifetime mark. Third prize went to Sunshine Boy's stablemate Joe Rich, who followed more than four lengths behind.
Armycaptin Hanover, who was claimed by trainer Rod Therres for $20,000 on March 2, has won five of his nine seasonal starts and 41 races lifetime, boasting more than $300,000 in earnings.
Sent postward as the 1-2 favourite, he paid $3.10 to win.
In other Friday night racing action, pacing mare Diva Amour extended her win streak to five for trainer/driver Kelly Hoerdt, who also co-owns with Fred Gilbert of Brandon, Man. The four-year-old Custard The Dragon-Art Amour mare won the $5,200 third race for $9,000 conditioned-claimers in 1:56.3 by one length over Outlawgrandetorino (Brad Watt) and LDs Contessa (John Abbott) after looping those foes past the quarter pole.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)