Itll Be Fine led all the way in the $10,000 Preferred Pace, making a successful return to Fraser Downs during the Friday evening card that celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Greener Pastures Adoption Society.
Itll Be Fine and driver Scott Knight took the lead from the inside post in the featured pace and never looked back, setting fractions of :28, :56.2 and 1:23.4 en route to the 1:53 triumph as the 3-2 second choice. He paid $5 to win. Vertical Squirt (Clint Warrington) shot up the inside lane to close within three-quarters of a length of the winner while third prize went to Loaded Dragon (Kelly Hoerdt), who got clearance when the favoured Redstone Arsenal (David Hudon) stalled first-over.
Back at Fraser Downs after a month layoff from racing in Minnesota, Itll Be Fine picked up his fifth victory from 20 starts this year for trainer Rick Lancaster, who co-owns with Leslie Godlien. Lifetime, the four-year-old Hes Watching gelding has won a dozen races and earned $125,707.
The last time he raced at Fraser during the spring session, Itll Be Fine won three conditioned races and made three starts in the top Open class where he finished second each time behind the meet's perfect pacer, Outlaw C My Shadow.
Speaking of Outlaw C My Shadow, the Prince's two-year-old full brother Outlawstaythecourse (Shadow Play-Grand Slam Woman) won his Fraser Downs debut on Friday, nosing out Everyones Hero in a new mark of 1:58 with Knight driving. Trained by Connie Kolthammer, the Outlaw West Stable homebred is now two-for-four to start his career.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.