It has been a beautiful summer in B.C. and opening weekend at Fraser Downs was no exception. Table reservations in the Homestretch were down but people were on the tarmac having an adult beverage, listening to music from a DJ and watching live harness racing right in front of them on the track.
Speaking of on the track action, Jim Marino, Bill Davis and Darren Lupul all had two winners.
Lupul is probably the most interesting story as he has a very small stable and won with a very impressive two-year-old filly (Fast Lane Elektra). Another horse to watch will be Millbanks Writer from the Rod Therres stable. You will hear more about her this meet.
Veteran trainer/driver/owner Jim Marino snagged two wins from his stable on Friday night (Sept. 5). Alberta invader Paul Davies also hit the winners circle twice. Congratulations Paul, always nice to see new faces in the drivers colony.
Trainer Allan Molloy won the first two races but the big story here is how his mare, Keep The Dream, beat the boys in the Open Pace in 1:54.4.
[Photo: Driver Travis Bowman, behind Cheyenne J, leaving the winner’s circle after the ninth race on opening night.]
Looks like veterans Ray Thomson and Dennis Johnston have a nice, two-year-old colt on their hands. Illwinifican won his first lifetime start in 1:58.3.
Racing resumes every Thursday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 7 p.m.
The fifth annual Harness Racing B.C. Open House is this Saturday (Sept. 13) from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be harness demos, barn tours, jog cart rides, shoeing demos, a barbecue and lots of things for the kids to do. Admission is free.
It’s at 17740 62 Avenue (Bill Reid Way), Surrey.
– Jackson Wittup is executive director of Harness Racing B.C.
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