Career-best for top sophomore in $50,000 stake

Kootenay Cocoa (Beren Hanover) improved her career record to 11-for-12 as she won her first career harness racing stake in the $50,000 Penny Bath Memorial on Friday (Apr. 26) at Fraser Downs.

Phil Giesbrecht got her to the top approaching the quarter in :26 and led unopposed through middle panels of :55 and 1:23.2. Only Over Ice (Scott Knight) stuck with her into the final turn, but Kootenay Cocoa never allowed her closer than a length-and-three-quarters while completing the victory in 1:52.3. Over Ice finished second. Vintage Lass (Kelly Hoerdt) made up ground late and took third.

KOOTENAY COCOA REPLAY

Kootenay Cocoa went unbeaten through her first eight starts and has now earned $59,750. The Penny Bath Memorial on Friday was her first stakes try. Kyle Chadwick trains the homebred sophomore for Robert and Barbara Chadwick of Surrey.

In the twin stake, the Raymond Gemmill Memorial, Phone Nine One One (Custard The Dragon) pulled off a 12-1 upset. The gelding charged from the pocket and nabbed favourite Buddy Knocks (Knight) at the line to score by a head in 1:56, securing the stakes double for Giesbrecht. Outlawstaythcourse (John Abbott) was with them in the final strides for third.

PHONE NINE ONE ONE REPLAY

Phone Nine One One broke his maiden three starts back after starting his career 0-for-seven. The Jim Marino trainee has now earned $47,875 and won twice in 11 appearances. Marino co-owns him with JJJ Stables of Prince George and Paul Sanders of Surrey.

Sunshine Boy (Sunshine Beach, Knight) took the night’s Preferred Handicap, extending his win streak to three at the class. The gelding was never headed after taking control at the first station and came home a length-and-a-half winner in 1:52. It was his 11th straight in-the-money finish for owners JJJ Stables, Sanders, and Marino. The six-year-old has now tallied 30 wins and $289,628 from 78 lifetime starts.

SUNSHINE BOY REPLAY

Fraser Downs will continue action with its penultimate card of the meet on Thursday, May 2.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink