Renowned as the standout horse on Canada's west coast, Sunshine Boy continues to dominate the older pacer division at Fraser Downs.
The six-year-old progeny of Sunshine Beach stole the limelight in the recent $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace event on Friday, February 23, solidifying his reputation as a force to be reckoned with.
Under the expert guidance of Scott Knight, Sunshine Boy surged to the forefront from post position five, strategically overtaking Itll Be Fine (David Hudon) to secure the lead by the :27 first quarter. Maintaining his pace, Sunshine Boy effortlessly glided through the half in :56.1, propelling himself ahead with a commanding lead as the pacers navigated the backstretch. By the third marker at 1:23.4, Sunshine Boy had widened the gap to two lengths ahead of his closest contender.
Despite a late charge from Itll Be Fine, who made a determined effort from the passing lane, Sunshine Boy gallantly held his ground, crossing the finish line just ahead, with a neck separating him from his rival in a swift 1:51.4 mile. Meanwhile, the unexpected contender Bad Moon Horizon (Tyson Jacoby) clinched the third spot.
Trained by Jim Marino and co-owned by J J J Stables of Prince George and Paul Sanders of Surrey, B.C., Sunshine Boy extended his winning streak to three consecutive victories this season. With his latest triumph, the seasoned performer notched his 26th career win in 71 starts, showcasing his prowess with 12 wins in his last 16 appearances at Fraser Downs since September last year.
In another display of excellence, Kelly Hoerdt, the leading trainer at Fraser Downs in 2023, made waves upon relocating his horses from Alberta to the west coast. Making a strong debut on Thursday night, Hoerdt secured two wins out of three training attempts. His success continued on Friday, as he triumphed with three out of four entries in his stable, guiding Bay Street Buddy ($3.70; 1:54.2), Light My Shadow ($5; 1:55.2), and Armycaptin Hanover ($6.80; 1:52.3) to victory. Additionally, Hoerdt achieved a catch-driving victory with Minnekhada Joe ($8.10; 1:55.3), further highlighting his exceptional horsemanship and training prowess.