7 hours Ago By Tom Zillich
Record wagering is being seen halfway through the fall standardbred season at in Cloverdale, according to . "With wagering seeing levels not reached since 2013, the positive momentum continues to grow," the agency says in an e-newsletter. "There is active interest from south of the border and Thursday’s cards have been especially popular.
" No wagering numbers were noted by BC Racebook. Racing continues at the five-eighths Cloverdale oval until Dec. 27 on Thursday and Friday nights, 7 p.
m. start. The calendar is on .
On Thursday (Nov. 28), trainer Jim Marino and driver Phil Giesbrecht teamed to sweep the $100,000 finals of the Mary Murphy Breeders Stakes and Robert Murphy Memorial Breeders Stakes for three-year-olds. Over Ice, owned by breeder JJJ Stables of Prince George, delivered in the final of the Mary Murphy for three-year-old pacing fillies.
"The 1-5 public choice found the front end for Giesbrecht heading into the opening turn and controlled the tempo for a dominant victory," says a news release. Meantime, Kelly Hoerdt achieved a milestone Nov. 9, winning with his 3,000th lifetime drive aboard Holiday Shadow.
"Hoerdt has supported Fraser Downs racing for the last few years and always brings a competitive group of horses with him from his home base of Alberta," according to the BC Racebook e-newsletter. "The 58-year-old is nearing $20 million in career driver earnings." A new addition to the training colony is Rebecca Kanak, whose horses have consistently hit the board.
Currently she has a winning percentage of almost 31 per cent, with nearly 62 per cent of her starters hitting the tote board. Trainers Stu Boschman and Daniel St. Amand have both returned this season.
"Boschman has made an impact after several years away from the sport with a competitive stable, while St. Amand is easing back in slowly through the claiming box," BC Racebook says. Fraser Downs is located at Elements Casino Surrey, 17755 60 Ave.
.
