Illwinifican was able to get the job done on Friday night (December 16), pulling off a 21-1 upset in the $10,500 Open Pace at Fraser Downs for trainer/driver Dennis Johnston.

With the inside post advantage, Jim Vinnell champion Buddy Weiser (Rod Therres) pocketed Read The Proposal (Serge Masse) during a :27.4 opening quarter before 2-5 favourite Sterling Cooper (Dave Hudon) took over in front of the grandstand. Sterling Cooper continued to lead the field past the half in :58.1 while Sabine Pass (Paul Davies) began to advance first-over from fifth and moved out in front at the 1:27.1 third quarter mark. Meanwhile, Illwinifican followed the live cover and tipped three-wide for the stretch drive. He kicked home in :28.4 to pass Sabine Pass down the lane and score by three-quarters of a lengths in 1:56.2. Read The Proposal rallied for third.

Johnston and Ray Thomson share ownership of the four-year-old Allamerican Native gelding, who returned $44.50 to win. The 2015 B.C. Breeders Stakes champion earned his second Open win of the year from 12 starts. He now has 11 wins and $138,415 on his career record.

(Standardbred Canada)