Marino, Giesbrecht Sweep Sophomore Stakes At Fraser
Trainer Jim Marino and driver Phil Giesbrecht teamed up to sweep the $100,000 finals of the Mary Murphy Breeders Stakes and Robert Murphy Memorial Breeders Stakes for three-year-olds on Thursday, Nov. 28 at Fraser Downs.
Over Ice ($2.70; pictured above) delivered as expected in the final of the Mary Murphy for three-year-old pacing fillies. The 1-5 public choice found the front end for Giesbrecht heading into the opening turn and controlled the tempo for a dominant victory. After fractions of :28, :58 and 1:25.4, Over Ice poured it on with a :28.2 final stanza to hit the wire more than three lengths to the good in a time of 1:54.1. Vintage Lass (Kelly Hoerdt) closed well over Senorita Draco (Scott Knight) to nab the place spot.
"I had a pretty good feeling that I was going to be able to just get out of there and not have to worry about anything else," stated Giesbrecht after the victory. "She's so handy. She's just that good of a filly right now. She's had a tough summer, she had some rugged trips out there in Alberta, luckily enough the competition's a little softer here, but she's still a very, very nice filly. Her record shows."
Owned by her breeder J J J Stables of Prince George. B.C., Over Ice (Custard The Dragon - Arm In Arm) picked up her 10th career tally in 21 starts to boast a record of 10-4-5 overall with eight of those victories coming at Fraser Downs. Her career bankroll ballooned to $232,813 with the Murphy score.
By sweeping the Murphy legs, Over Ice completed her career stakes assignments in B.C. with an unblemished record.
In the 2023 Robert Millbank Memorial for two-year-old pacing colts, Wannabeabigstar and Outlawstaythcourse were involved in an accident that took both horses out of the race. This year, those two horses returned to stakes action as sophomores and were once again making headlines in the $100,000 Robert Murphy Memorial for three-year-old male pacers.
Leaving from the outside post eight, Wannabeabigstar couldn't find a spot on the pylons after the wings of the gate folded. Up front, Buddy Knocks (Knight) worked hard to clear rail starter Outlawstaythcourse (John Abbott). Buddy Knocks performed the heavy lifting through a :27.2 first station and :57.2 half.
Nothing Bugs Me (Rod Therres) pulled just before the half from fourth, providing some cover to the stalking favourite, Wannabeabigstar and Giesbrecht. After the 1:26 third quarter, Wannabeabigstar received a three-wide request from his pilot and started to cut into the pacesetter's lead.
But when those horses reached the top of the stretch, Outlawstaythcourse edged to the passing lane as a fresh threat. Wannabeabigstar found that stretch to his liking, and collared Buddy Knocks while Outlawstaythcourse closed up the pylons. At the wire, Wannabeabigstar shone brightest, winning by a head over Outlawstaythcourse in a time of 1:55. Buddy Knocks completed the top trio.
"For him to be where he is today, I just have to give kudos to Jimmy and everyone that worked with the horse, because after last year, I didn't think he'd ever race again," noted Giesbrecht. "For him to be here like this, it's amazing.
"He's just a fantastic horse," Giesbrecht continued. "I want to send a big shoutout to all my family at home for letting me do this. I really appreciate everyone back home. It's a huge day."
Wannabeabigstar (Shadow Play - Greek Beach) is trained by Marino, and he co-owns the gelding with J J J Stables and Paul Sanders of Surrey, B.C. In 14 career starts, Wannabeabigstar sports a 6-2-2 summary with $89,505 in earnings. As the 3-4 public choice, he returned $3.50 to win.
With the win of Hotpieceoface (1:55.1; $3.20) in the fourth race, Marino totaled three wins on the evening with Giesbrecht engineering each of the visits to the winner's circle.
On the undercard, Outlaw Spiced Rum ($7.30) was strong at every call of the $10,000 Preferred Pace for fillies and mares, winning in 1:54.3 for owner-trainer-driver Rod Therres. In High Cotton (Hoerdt) and favoured Grey Sea (Abbott) filled out the bottom of the triactor ticket.
Now with 19 wins on the season, Outlaw Spiced Rum (Blue Burner - Billie J Blue Chip) is the second winningest pacing mare in North America this season behind U.S.-based Need Ur Opinion and her 20 tallies. Lifetime, Outlaw Spiced Rum counts 29 victories and more than $161,000 in earnings.
For the full results from the card of harness racing in British Columbia, click the following link: Thursday Results - Fraser Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)
Published: November 29, 2024 01:55 am EST