Kootenay Santanna gets revenge on closing day

Kootenay Santanna (Santanna Blue Chip) ended Armycaptin Hanover’s three-week reign over the Fraser Downs Horse and Geldings Open class as the curtain dropped on the track’s harness racing meet on Monday (Jun. 27).

David Kelly put Kootenay Santanna on point from post three, looking to go all the way for the first time since May 1. They blasted through the first quarter in :26.3 and rationed the speed to the half in :56.1. Armycaptin Hanover (Kelly Hoerdt) teed off from the three-hole with a first-over move on the backstretch.

Kelly unleashed Kootenay Santanna to three-quarters in 1:23.3, and the gelding pulled away from Armycaptin Hanover while straightening for home. The latter finished gamely but didn’t have enough to catch Kootenay Santanna, who crossed the line a length-and-a-quarter ahead in 1:51.3.

Buddys Hope (J. Brandon Campbell) finished third. Despite Armycaptin Hanover’s streak, the public sent Monday’s winner away as the 3/5 favourite.

KOOTENAY SANTANNA REPLAY

Kootenay Santanna was second for all of Armycaptin Hanover’s consecutive wins but is six-for-13 this year. The four-year-old homebred has brought in $151,040 and won 13 times in 29 career tries for owner Robert Chadwick of Surrey. Kyle Chadwick trains the gelding.

As Armycaptin Hanover lost his throne on closing day, Moosette (Hes Watching) defended hers in the Fillies and Mares Open.

She dropped behind a quick-leaving trio and rode along in fourth through the :27.3 first quarter and to the half in :57.1. Campbell pulled the trigger just past the midway point, sending the mare to face the breeze on the backside. She advanced to second on the rim by three-quarters in 1:25.3 and rolled by leader Western Summit (Kelly) for the win in 1:54.

Western Summit was beaten by three-quarters of a length. Mystic Shadow (Brandon Watt) completed the triactor. Moosette was the favourite for her ninth straight outing and returned $3.80.

MOOSETTE REPLAY

She has won seven in 17 this year and 19 of 53 overall. The Shale Stables homebred has brought the Merritt-based outfit $137,528 in career earnings. Jim Marino trains the five-year-old mare.

Campbell caught fire late in the evening and topped the card with four wins. He was the meet’s leading reinsman with 70 wins – six more than second-placed Kelly’s 64. Marino took the trainer’s title with 64 trips to the winner’s circle over Hoerdt’s 56.

Fraser Downs goes dark until Wednesday, Sep. 7.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink