Langley goes to Nazko Promise, snow slows Serge,
Chilliwack cooler & more
ANOTHER STAKE FOR NAZKO PROMISE: Nazko Promise had to
work for every inch but did get the mile in capturing the
featured Langley Pace on Friday at Fraser Downs.
The son of As Promised paced the mile in 1:58.1 over a
track rated as good to grab the winner's share of the
$34,800 purse in the event for four year-old horses and
geldings.Nazko Promise, trained and driven by Dave Jungquist,
has six victories and three seconds in his last nine starts
and has career earnings of $149,900.
The entry of Red Star Harley (Witsends Fiddle) and Red
Star Executive (Run The Table) finished second and third
with Harley a length back of the winner. Only 4 1/4 lengths
separated the six horses at the finish. Lo Siento left first
and Nazko Promise settled into the two hole. They stayed
that way until past the half when Jungquist brought Promise
first up. Lo Siento still held the lead -- by a head --
after three quarters with Jungquist on the outside. By the
head of the stretch Nazko Promise had gained the lead but
there was no relaxing in the stretch drive.
"I had to keep pressure on him all the way," Jungquist
said in the winner's enclosure. "I was surprised that Lo
Siento came back at me after I got ahead. He's no slouch."
Jungquist who trains Nazko Promise for the Sunbury
Stables said Friday's win could be the horse's last race at
the present Downs meet.
"I will lay him off for awhile," he explained, "and then
probably take him to Alberta."
The Edmonton meet begins March 8.
SNOW SLOWS SERGE: The only thing that could cool Serge
Masse's hot hand was snow which fell enough last Sunday to
cause the cancellation of the card. On the two days of
racing Masse had six driving wins and has 20 for the month.
Meet leader Bill Davis had five wins and Dave Hudon three.
Masse also led in visits to the winner's enclosure as a
trainer with five, one more than Davis and two more than
Hudon and Ken Dorman.
CHILLIWACK COOLER: The day of racing that had been
scheduled for Chilliwack on the long weekend in May is on
hold.
Fraser Downs general manager Chuck Keeling said a final
decision as to whether a full card of harness racing will
take place will be made in late February. The day may be
cancelled or possibly postponed to August. "It's hard to
justify any kind of expansion plans under the restrictive
circumstances we are under now," Keeling explained. "We need
some kind of guidance from the provincial government as to
where they stand (on gaming) before we have the ability to
develop," he added. "We are still uncertain where our future
lies."
WAY TO GO TRACIE: Congratulations to Tracie Donnelly who
is the latest IGA Market Place groom of the week. Tracie
works for the Erik Neyhart Stable.
DOES EVERYBODY LOVE A SALE: The B.C. Standardbred
Breeders' Society, in response to a number of requests from
breeders and horsemen, is taking entries for a mixed sale on
March 12. The deadline for entries is Feb.12 and the entry
fee is $100.
The sale will be held in the Cloverdale Agriplex and is
open to all standardbred stock. No tack or equipment will be
taken for consignment. The BCSBS reserves the right to
cancel the sale should it determine that insufficient
entries have been received.
Entry forms are available form the BCSBS office.
- 30 -
