The 2024 live harness racing season in British Columbia is set to commence on Thursday evening, February 8th, at Fraser Downs.
Following a one-week delay caused by inclement weather affecting training, the meet will begin with two seven-race programs scheduled for Thursday and Friday nights. Each evening, the races will get underway at 7 p.m.
Dawn Lupul, Fraser Downs' Manager of Racing and Communications, expressed her enthusiasm for the return of racing after the recent weather-related challenges in the region. "After the recent challenges posed by the weather in B.C., we're thrilled to be getting back to racing," she shared.
Thursday's featured race, the $8,500 fillies and mares claiming-conditioned pace, will be headlined by Mystic Shadow, an accomplished seven-year-old mare sired by Shadow Play.
Under the training of Nelson Craig and co-owned by him, Mystic Shadow returns to action after an eight-week layoff. She had a strong finish to the fall meet at Fraser Downs, claiming victory in this class and securing a top-three finish against Preferred distaffers. As a 10-time winner with an impressive track record, Mystic Shadow enters the season's debut as the morning line favourite at odds of 9-5. Brad Watt, her regular reinsman, will guide her from post four.
On Friday night, the first week of racing will conclude with the $10,000 featured finale, showcasing Sunshine Boy, a seasoned six-year-old gelding sired by Sunshine Beach. Trained and co-owned by Jim Marino, Sunshine Boy was a standout performer during the fall meet, capturing nine wins. Now kicking off his six-year-old campaign, he is the expected favourite at odds of 2-1. Piloted by driver Scott Knight, Sunshine Boy will face a field of seven rivals, including Itll Be Fine and Mach Steady, familiar contenders who recently outperformed them in a 1:57.2 qualifying win on a 'good' track last Friday.
As racing resumes, longtime trainer Gord Abbott finds himself on the verge of a significant milestone, with 1,000 career wins within reach. Abbott, based in Surrey, B.C., will send out two starters over the first two race days. On Thursday, his son John will drive Crown Princess, a four-year-old mare owned by Seaspray Stables. On Friday, Abbott's three-year-old pacing gelding named McMoney will hit the track, providing an exciting opportunity for the trainer to achieve this remarkable feat.
Fraser Downs has introduced new wagering options to enhance the experience for horseplayers. The Double bet now offers a minimum bet of $2, allowing participants to potentially earn higher payouts. Moreover, the track has added a late Double on the last two races of the program, further augmenting the betting opportunities. Notably, Fraser Downs maintains a low 15% takeout on the Double bet. Horseplayers can also explore various other bet types, including Win, Place, Show, Hi 5, Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5.
Horseplayers can take advantage of enticing wagering offers available on leading platforms such as HPIbet, 1/ST Bet - Xpressbet, and Twinspires. These offers include attractive incentives such as 10% cashback, bet $100 and get $10, and 25% win bonuses, providing an enhanced betting experience.
Fraser Downs will host live racing twice a week, primarily on Thursdays and Fridays, until April 26th, with post time set for 7 p.m. Following the initial season, racing will take a break and resume in September, continuing until the end of the year.