Armycaptin Hanover fights to first victory of the year

Armycaptin Hanover (Captaintreachous) got himself out of the shadow of Outlaw C My Shadow with a trip to Century Downs, where he scored his first harness racing win of 2023 on Saturday (Mar. 25) in the track’s Preferred Handicap.

The seven-year-old had two seconds and two shows in five prior starts – four of which came at Fraser Downs in losses to Outlaw C My Shadow, who is currently riding a nine-race winning streak at the top level there. Armycaptin Hanover came to Calgary on Mar. 11 but finished second to Shark Week, another strong Western Canada Free For Aller.

Shark Week motored on the outside for the lead on Saturday and took over in a :26.3 opening quarter. Armycaptin Hanover bided his time in fifth before beginning a first-over assault on the second turn, and he was already making his presence known to the leader at the half in :57.2.

Shark Week proved less of a challenge than the prior week and let him go easily. Armycaptin Hanover then battled with Crackle N Burn (Logan Gillis), who had been on his back, to three-quarters in 1:26.2. Icy Blue Scooter (Nathan Sobey), circling from last, joined the party on the far turn, and the horses threw down three-across going into the stretch.

Armycaptin Hanover edged back out with his inside positioning on the turn and kept the attackers at bay into the final eighth of a mile. Icy Blue Scooter went best coming to the wire, but he was a head too late and Armycaptin Hanover got home in 1:55.3.

Icy Blue Scooter had to settle for place. Crackle And Burn held third over a flying Whiplash Smile (David Kelly).

ARMYCAPTIN HANOVER REPLAY

Armycaptin Hanover is now 33-for-111 lifetime. The seven-year-old has raked in $232,976. He won five straight Opens at Fraser last year but has been stymied in British Columbia by the emergence of Outlaw C My Shadow. Hoerdt trains Armycaptin Hanover and co-owns him with Blair Corbeil.

Also on the card, Electric Amadeus (Rockin Amadeus) extended her hot streak to seven consecutive wins with a big victory in the Fillies and Mares Preferred-2 Handicap. The mare showcased her turn of foot with a last-to-first route to victory. Joining the outside flow third-over in the third quarter, Kelly tipped her three-wide turning for home. She then exploded by her foes with minimal asking and stormed to the line to score in 1:56.3 by four-and-a-quarter lengths. Saphire Blue (Nathan Sobey) prevailed in a blanket finish for second with Outlawstormywether (Gillis) third.

ELECTRIC AMADEUS REPLAY

Electric Amadeus is perfect through six this year and has one win from 2022 tacked onto her winning streak. She improved sharply since moving to Alberta and trainer Brooking Brinsley Lutz from Manitoba in October of last year. The seven-year-old has won 14 of her 42 career outings and has earned $60,430. Brooking Lutz of Calgary co-owns the mare with Harbey Jaeger of Airdrie.

Century Downs will race next on Saturday, Apr. 1.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink