Another ‘Shark’ attack at Century Downs

Shark Week (Vertical Horizon) struck again in the Saturday (Jul. 27) Preferred at Century Downs, making it three straight harness racing victories and 20 wins in his past 21 starts.

The gelding reprised his usual role, wiring the field in a commanding performance. Mike Hennessy rated him to :27.1, :56, and 1:24.3 fractions before releasing him going into the final turn. Shark Week took off by four lengths and added more down the stretch, finishing the mile with a five-and-a-quarter-length margin in 1:51.3. Samba Beat (Phil Giesbrecht) won the race for second with Sunshine Boy (Brandon Campbell) third.

SHARK WEEK REPLAY

Shark Week broke the all-age records at both Century tracks and became the first horse in Western Canada history to break 1:50 during his 17-race win streak from 2023 to 2024. It ended on Apr. 27, but he returned in July and has won three straight. Rodney Hennessy trains the six-year-old and co-owns him with Lorne Duffield of Edmonton. Shark Week has now racked up 45 wins and $382,725 in 80 lifetime appearances.

Rockin Roller (Domitian Hanover) dominated in the sub-featured Preferred-2, storming away to an 11-and-three-quarter-length romp in 1:52.4. Campbell drove and trained him to the coast-to-coast score, the gelding’s second of the season in eight tries. It was Rockin Roller’s first lifetime Preferred-level victory and 13th overall tally in 46 career starts. Campbell and Jodi Loftus lease the five-year-old from Gilles Gobeil and Sandra Williams.

ROCKIN ROLLER REPLAY

Campbell and Kelly Hoerdt both tallied three driving victories on the day. Hoerdt trained all of his winners.

Century Downs will enter its final month of racing this year on its next card on Friday, Aug. 2.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink