After four decades, four digits for Abbott

Harness racing horseman Gord Abbott reached 1,000 career training victories at Fraser Downs on Friday (Feb. 16) after more than 40 years in the game.

The 62-year-old sent out Mcmoney (Mcwicked) with his son John in the bike for the evening’s second race. The sophomore gelding enjoyed a pocket trip before pushing past pacesetter Billy Buxton (Tyson Jacoby) and holding off Chief Is Boss (Dennis Johnston) to win by a half-length in 1:58.4.

MCMONEY / GORD ABBOTT MILESTONE REPLAY

Abbott completed his tonne of wins in his 4,879th lifetime training start — a career rate of 20.5 per cent. The West Coast mainstay has seen his horses earn $4,735,763. He stopped driving in 2013 but racked up 1,695 wins and more than $6.2 million in earnings in the bike across 29 years. The horseman received a commemorative placard in the winner’s circle and was met by his family and friends.

Driver Scott Knight and trainer Jim Marino swept the night’s co-featured Preferreds. Joe Rich (Custard The Dragon), making his first start in British Columbia since 2022, cut the mile in the Preferred Pace and recorded his first win of the year in 1:55.

JOE RICH REPLAY

Sunshine Boy (Sunshine Beach) made it back-to-back scores to start the season in the second Preferred as he scored in 1:51.3, a tick off his lifetime best. The six-year-old gelding reached 25 wins with the performance.

SUNSHINE BOY REPLAY

Fraser Downs will resume racing on Thursday, Feb. 22.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink