Itll Be Fine ends Fraser meet on top

Previously winless on the year, Itll Be Fine (Hes Watching) produced a career-best effort to take the final Preferred of the harness racing meet at Fraser Downs on Friday (May 3).

He struck the front first for Dave Hudon but ceded control to Armycaptin Hanover (Allan Molloy), a three-time top class winner this year, after the quarter in :26.3. Sunshine Boy (Scott Knight), who won seven Preferreds on the season, pressed on first-up against the new leader and pressured him to a :54.4 half.

The top two battled to three-quarters in 1:22.2, but Sunshine Boy ran out of gas rounding the final turn, passing the baton to pocket-sitter Itll Be Fine. It’ll Be Fine dashed up the pylons entering the stretch and hunted down Armycaptin Hanover in the last 1/16th of a mile to prevail in 1:51.1.

Armycaptin Hanover was tough in defeat, finishing a half-length back in second. Rum N Raisins (John Abbott) closed for third.

ITLL BE FINE REPLAY

Itll Be Fine had not won in his 10 prior Preferred starts on the year, but he was second seven times and earned a cheque in each. Richard Lancaster trains the gelding and co-owns him with Leslie Godlien of Langley. The five-year-old has compiled a record of 16 wins in 70 career starts and $179,667 in earnings.

Kelly Hoerdt locked up the drivers’ title on closing night, finishing with 51 wins to Knight’s 49. Marino was the leading dash-winning trainer with 37 tallies, three more than Hoerdt.

Driver Dave Hudon won three of the night’s nine races.

Fraser Downs will go dark until the start of its fall meet on Sep. 12.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink