Sunshine Boy takes back crown for good

Sunshine Boy (Sunshine Beach) cruised to victory in the closing night Fraser Downs Preferred-Handicap on Friday (Dec. 15), ending the harness racing season on top after his five-race win streak was broken up in the penultimate renewal of the class last week.

Scott Knight fired the gelding out in the last top-level tilt of the meet and got him to the top just past the quarter in :27.4. He paced to the half in :57.1 and stoked the flames as Mickie Mantle (Kelly Hoerdt) moved up first-over to three-quarters in 1:25.

Sunshine Boy unfurled his wings and put him away, opening up by five on the homeward turn. The rest of the field closed in coming down the lane, but Sunshine Boy was clear up in the final meters and hit the line to end the season on top in 1:54.1.

Waitin Ona River (Kevin Anderson) roared home from fifth to take the place cheque. Mach Steady (John Abbott) held third.

SUNSHINE BOY REPLAY

Sunshine Boy increased his seasonal tally to double digits with the win. Jim Marino trains the five-year-old who won eight Fraser Preferreds in 2023. The gelding has now earned $246,628 lifetime with 23 wins in 68 miles. Marino co-owns him with J J J Stables of Prince George and Paul Sanders of Surrey.

Knight and driver Dave Hudon both made three trips to the winner’s circle.

Brandon Campbell, who spent the night at Century Mile driving six winners, finished the Fraser Downs season with 115 wins and took the drivers’ title in a runaway. His win rate at the track was 37.6 per cent for the year. Knight pipped Hoerdt for second with his closing night triple.

Hoerdt won the trainers’ title with 85 tallies to Marino’s 78.

Racing is set to return to Fraser Downs on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink