Century Mach scores in Preferred nailbiter

Century Mach (Jk Royal Flush) prevailed in a photo finish in the Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap at Fraser Downs on Thursday (Oct. 2) to give her harness racing trainer/driver Kelly Hoerdt a triple.

The mare was quickest off the car and marched to the early lead, putting the threepeat-minded Miss Itunes (Dave Hudon) in the pocket. Century Mach put up the first two panels of :27 and :56.4 and received her first challenge when Mystic Shadow (Brad Watt) moved first-up from third on the backstretch.

Century Mach held a length-and-a-half lead over that rival at three-quarters in 1:25.4 with Miss Itunes waiting in the pocket and Hottieonthehorizon (Jeff Hunt) looming second-over. Century Mach entered the stretch on top, and the three pursuers moved to open lanes to chase her. Mystic Shadow continued to battle into deep-stretch, but Hottieonthehorizon kicked home and produced the best late challenge. She motored in the last eighth of a mile, but she fell a head short as Century Mach made it home a winner in 1:55.1.

Hottieonthehorizon closed the best part of four lengths in the stretch and got up for second. Mystic Shadow finished third.

CENTURY MACH REPLAY

It was Century Mach’s first win at the open level since Apr. 27 and her sixth of the year. Hoerdt owns the five-year-old, a 25-time winner in 89 career tries with $176,648 in the bank.

Hoerdt also won on the day with Came A Cavalier (Domitian Hanover, 1:55.1), who reached 10 victories on the year, and Somepeopleneedtold (Armbro Baylor, 1:55.2), who was claimed for $8,000. Hoerdt was a full- or part-owner in all three horses.

Fraser Downs will continue racing on Friday, Nov. 3 with an eight-race program featuring a Preferred Handicap.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink