by Scott Waddell, public relations director, Exhibition Park
Saint John, NB — Fresh off of winning seven races on Saturday afternoon at Exhibition Park Raceway, the track’s leading driver, Gilles Barrieau, was again on his game on the Holiday card in Fredericton.
Two Saint John horses got the job done on Monday as Magnetic Benka showed his versatility in a rare gate-to-wire effort in 1:59.3 on a track that was rated two seconds off. It equaled his lifetime mark taken previously over the quick surface of Flamboro Downs.
Comical Brilla took the supporting class of the day as Barrieau guided her to an easy win in 2:01 for owners Bob Tilley and Les Mott of Saint John.
Barrieau captured the final of the day with Todd Scott’s Bucky All as the mare got up in the lane to win in 2:04.
Other winners on the day saw the highly touted three-year-old filly Saulsbrook Mar win her second in as many starts for Todd Trites. She is a daughter of Justice Denied and is being prepped for this year’s busy stake schedule and looks like the real deal.
Hometown hero Mike Downey scored a pair of wins as he guided three-year- old Skill Factor to a come from behind win for son Mitchell as he stopped the clock in 2:06. Mike’s other win came with the veteran down under pacer Knight Stalker N, as he was a go away winner in 2:06.
Last year’s driving kingpin, Mike Stevenson, grabbed a win on the card as he guided Ohyoulittlething to a convincing victory to give Donnie Bishop his second win credit of the afternoon in 2:06.
Meanwhile, young gun Doug Folkins, Jr. scored with his father’s pacer Cam Bo Time, turning a pocket ride into a winning effort in 2:08.
Racing resumes in Fredericton on Wednesday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m.