Chaste Forever wins fifth straight in Shirley McClellan elim

Chaste Forever made the step into stakes company at Century Downs on Saturday (May 21) after four consecutive victories and extended his streak with a convincing victory in the first elimination of the Shirley McClellan Breeders Stake.

The daughter of Mystery Chase popped out of the three-hole in the third quarter for Kelly Hoerdt, grinded away into the far turn, and shook clear of leader Ventimatchalatte (Brandon Campbell) in the stretch for the 1:56 win. She beat Ventimatchalatte by two-and-three-quarter lengths. Daisy Corvette (Nathan Sobey) was third over Dialmeup (David Kelly).

CHASTE FOREVER REPLAY

Chaste Forever’s win was her fifth in six career starts, and she has earned $15,500. She debuted at three this season for trainer Joe Ratchford before moving to Hoerdt’s barn. Hoerdt co-owns her with Carole Dunbar of Richardson.

Divine Art (Nathan Sobey) blew away her second elimination rivals after she made a third-quarter blast and streaked away to win by six-and-a-half lengths in a lifetime-best 1:54.3. Wrangler Jewel (Jean-Francois Gagne) was a narrow second over Jamaica Move (Hoerdt). Saphire Blue (Michael Hennessy) finished fourth.

DIVINE ART REPLAY

It was the second start of the season for Divine Art, who won the $60,000 Alberta Sires Stakes Super Final at two. She has made $64,742 and won four of eight lifetime starts for trainer Sobey. Robert Jones of Stony Plain, Diane Bertrand of Edmonton, and John Hind of Edmonton own the daughter of Outrageous Art.

The Shirley McClellan Breeders Stake is for Alberta-foaled sophomore pacing fillies. The $100,000G final is set for Saturday, May 28 at Century Downs.

Vegas Gambler quarter-poled to victory in the first elimination of the Moore’s Mile Breeders Stake. In line to Hennessy, the colt made his standside move a winning one as he opened up in the final quarter to a four-and-a-half length winning margin and stopped the clock in 1:56.2.

Juliogetthestretch (Hoerdt) was second, two lengths clear of of Kill A Dragon (Campbell). Restless And Wild (Phil Giesbrecht) finished fourth.

VEGAS GAMBLER

Vegas Gambler, a son of Mystery Chase, won the Century Casinos Pace last season as a two-year-old, along with three other stakes events, and was second in his Alberta Sires Stakes Super Final division. He was winless through four this year before his Saturday win. Rodney Starkewski, a resident of Lamont, trains the colt and co-owns him with Clauzette Byckal of Onoway. Vegas Gamler is now six-for-12 lifetime with a total bankroll of $77,182.

Ernesto Delacruz took the second elimination in similar style, taking command at the quarter and leading for the remainder to win by a half-length in 1:57.2. Subzero (Campbell) was second and three lengths ahead of Sharkas Lil Lad (Kelly). Knockin Boots (Tyler Redwood) was fourth.

ERNESTO DELACRUZ REPLAY

Gagne drives, trains, co-owns, and co-bred the Vertical Horizon colt with Peter van Seggelen of Heritage Point. The horse is now three-for-seven lifetime and has earned $10,945.

The $100,000G final of the Moore’s Mile Breeders Stake will go forward on at Century Downs on Saturday, May 28. The race is for three-year-old Alberta-foaled pacing colts and geldings.

Century Downs returns on Tuesday, May 24 at 1:15 p.m. MDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink