Grey Sea shocks in Century Preferred victory

Grey Sea (Custard The Dragon), a 10-time winner last year, beat Fillies and Mares Preferred rivals for her second of 2024 on Friday (May 24) at Century Downs in a 39-1 harness racing upset.

Tyler Redwood worked her into the four-hole from the second tier as In High Cotton fought to the front in a :27.3 first quarter. Grey Sea swung to the outside coming into the second turn and worked first-over through the half in :56.3.

She battled past In High Cotton to clear on the backstretch and put up three-quarters in 1:25.2 with favourite If Only Id Known (Phil Giesbrecht) now left uncovered and pressing. If Only Id Known failed to crack the leader and stalled coming down the stretch. Stash The Cookies picked up the torch late, but Grey Sea reached home a length-and-a-half the best in 1:55.

Stash The Cookies was second over If Only Id Known.

GREY SEA REPLAY

Grey Sea is now 16-for-38 lifetime for owner/breeder Seaspray Stables of Nanaimo. Since her last win on Mar. 24, the mare has collected two thirds and two seconds, but she finished sixth last out on May 17. Gordon Abbott trains the five-year-old mare.

Brandon Campbell led the day’s trainers with a triple. Abbott, Jamie Gray, and Travis Ellis all scored doubles.

Racing continues at Century Downs on Saturday, May 25 at 12:45 MDT. The 12-race card features the final of the Alberta Sires Stakes Diamond.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink