A look at Friday night racing at Century Mile

Century Mile opens 2024 with a card featuring eight harness races and will kick off at a new start time. Friday night racing will now start at 7:30 p.m. MST for the rest of the meet.

Race 1

The morning line favourite at 3-2 is Amped Up Annie (Vertical Horizon). She has finished in the top three in five straight races. She has drawn back-to-back races post-six, and last time, she still managed a second-place finish.

Diva Amour (Custard The Dragon) also has finished in the top three in five straight races. She must come from the far outside, but that hasn’t been an issue.

Ak Nite Lady (Andreoli Hanover) at 10-1 is an exciting choice if you want a price. She opens at 10-1 but will have Brandon Campbell in the bike. She hasn’t been at her best since racing at Century Mile, but she did show she can win at the Loop.

Race 2

After finishing second for three consecutive races, Havinfuninthesun (Sunshine Beach) finally returned to the winner’s circle last time. She paced the mile in 1:55.1

Go On Bow Bow (Lambretta) had a nice three-race win streak that ended two weeks ago. Since then, she has finished third place once and fourth place twice. She has performed well with the rail previously.

At 5-2, Bearcat Abigail (Mystery Chase) draws in with a lower class. She hasn’t been at her best lately, but the change of opponents should bode well.

Race 3

Although he has won back-to-back races, Yru So Sirius (Captive Audience) opens at 8-1. He posted a 1:56.0 during his last win, and a duplicate performance should seal the deal.

Mister Moose (Mystician) finished right behind Yru So Sirius last time. He has been finishing near the top but hasn’t won since Nov. 11.

At 5-2, Sharkas Lil Lad (Prince Sharka) is the next choice. He went winless in 2023, but his times are some of the best in this field. He should be near the top in this race.

Race 4

This is a tough race to kick off the Pick 5 at Century Mile. However, at 2-1, Roullette Hanover (All Bets Off) should be considered in any multi-leg wager. She has some of the fastest recent mile times in the field. She battled hard at her last start but finished in fourth place. She gets a bit of class relief this time, and she should shine.

Ima Beach Diva (Sunshine Beach) also receives some class relief and will be reunited with Brandon Campbell. They won three races together the last time they were teamed up.

Moonstruck (Sunshine Beach) is the following selection at 5-2. She hasn’t been racing her best lately, but she has shown she can come up big when needed. She finished third in the Century Casino Filly Pace and then won back-to-back races. Since then, she hasn’t shown much but should be in a class that suits her better.

Race 5

Can Outlaw Allie Oops (Blue Burner) make it five straight wins? She sure can! Her last mile was in 1:53.3, and she won-handedly. She recently was claimed and has looked good under Ellis.

Sunshineatthebeach (Sunshine Beach) hasn’t won since Oct. 27, but her mile times have been around 1:54. If she can reproduce at a similar time, she should be near the front.

Gold Onthehorizon (Vertical Horizon) is moving down from the Filly & Mare Preferred. She raced well but was far from dominating. She opens at 6-1 but should have a good chance in this one.

Race 6

Sporty Jewels (Sportswriter) has won back-to-back races, and both were with Phil Giesbrecht on the bike. She paced the last win in 1:57.1, which is now her career best.

At 5-2 and the rail, Five Star Dragon (Custard The Dragon) could make things interesting. He finished second behind Sporty Jewels last time, but he did draw an outside post. This time, having the rail could change things up enough.

Portaj (Tajma Hall) will be looking to finish third again. She finished behind Sporty Jewels and Five Star Dragon during her last time out.

Race 7

Airline Pilot (Hes Watching) made a big splash last week and won his Century Mile debut. He paced the mile in career best 1:55.2. He draws post five again this time and will have Michael Hennessy in the bike.

The last time Hf Devan James (Wink N Atcha) started from the second tier, he finished second place. He has shown he can start from almost anywhere on the track. Even though his mile times are a few seconds slower than what Airline Pilot showed last week, they are on par with the rest of the field.

Gonna Funku Up (Yankee Cruiser) finished second place last time behind Airline Pilot. However, he did draw closer to the rail the previous time and will have to find his way through early traffic this time. He only has one win and four top-three finishes in 2023.

Race 8

Hf Flower (Ameripan Gigolo) gets the rail and teams up with Brandon Campbell this time. Her last win was only two starts ago, and she paced the mile in 1:55.4. She opens at 6-1 and will hopefully have similar odds at post time.

Myomylookatmefly (Lambretta) beat this class last time but must do it from post-eight. She has shown she likes to go to the front end early but can’t always hold onto the lead late.

Jamaica Move (Vertical Horizon) has finished in the top three five straight times and even won twice during that span. Her fastest win time was 1:57.0, but she has posted even faster miles since then.

First race at Century Mile is set for  7:30 p.m. MST.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Trey Colbeck, for Harnesslink