Outlawguns N Roses caps sparkling season in $80,000 ABSS Super Final

Outlawguns N Roses (Captive Audience) completed a sterling sophomore harness racing campaign as she won the $80,000 Alberta Sires Stakes Super Final for three-year-old fillies on Saturday (Nov. 2) at Century Mile.

The filly, driven by Dave Kelly, dropped in third at the quarter in :27.3 and hugged the pylons through :56.4 and 1:25.2 middle fractions. Leaders Byby Baby Byby (Mike Hennessy) and Over Ice (Brandon Campbell) separated from the field as they battled around the last turn, with Outlawguns N Roses in tow several length back.

But the top two’s cushion proved not nearly enough as Outlawguns N Roses fired by them in the final eighth of a mile, soaring clear to a three-and-a-half-length triumph in 1:54.3.

Byby Baby Byby outlasted Over Ice to finish second with the latter completing the triactor.

OUTLAWGUNS N ROSES REPLAY

Outlawguns N Roses has now won six straight, including the Gord and Illa Rumpel Memorial and Century Casino Filly Pace. The Rodney Starkewski-trained filly has won 11 of her 13 starts this season, nine of which came in stakes events. She has earned $380,810 lifetime and won 15 times in 22 appearances for owners Starkewski and Clauzette Byckal.

Custard Dolce (Custard The Dragon), the biggest two-year-old star of the season, continued her dominance in winning her eighth straight stake in the Super Final for freshman fillies.

Catch-driver Phil Giesbrecht brushed the filly to the top in the second quarter, and she rebuffed the first-over Mademechangemymind (Nathan Sobey) before kicking away to a five-and-three-quarter-length triumph in 1:55. Imashipwreck (Campbell) finished second off cover with Mademechangemymind taking third.

CUSTARD DOLCE REPLAY

Custard Dolce is unbeaten since her debut defeat with eight consecutive victories against stakes competition. The filly is trained by Jamie Gray, who regularly drives the two-year-old but allocated himself to his other entry, Tornado Rain, in the race. Gray bred and co-owns Custard Dolce with Jackson Wittup, Max Gibb, and Derek Wilson. She has earned $139,437.

Western Canada Pacing Derby champion Grey Horizon (Vertical Horizon) won his seventh straight in stakes company as he win the Super Final for three-year-old colts and geldings.

Campbell quarter-poled with the colt to seize command, and Grey Horizon went all the way from there, cruising through the final meters to a length-and-a-quarter victory in 1:55. Yyc On The Horizon (Kelly) was game in second after a first-over trip. Rum N Custard (Kelly Hoerdt) came third.

GREY HORIZON REPLAY

Grey Horizon, trained by Campbell, is now 14-for-22 lifetime with $340,725 in earnings. The colt, a beaten favourite in last season’s Super Final, closed out this year with four stake final wins in a row. He is owned by Jodi Loftus, Raymond Henry, and George Rogers.

Custers Stand (Custard The Dragon) prevailed in a tight finish to win his Alberta Sires Stakes Super Final for freshman colts and geldings.

Giesbrecht launched the colt first-over from fifth on the backstretch, and Custers Stand climbed into contention on the final turn. He dispatched pacesetter Outlawminutbyminut (Logan Gillis) in the stretch and outlasted the closing Momas Work Of Art (Serge Masse) by a neck to win in 1:55.4. Westcoast Mccoy (Horedt) completed the ticket.

CUSTERS STAND REPLAY

Custers Stand, after a winless first seven starts, has now won three straight. The colt, trained by Marie Brooking, has earned $82,383 for Dianne Neish, William Neish, and Len Dunham.

There were also four Alberta Sires Stakes Super Final Consolations. The winners are listed below.

• Two-year-old fillies: Captains Hideaway (Captain Deo), placed first, in 2:02.4 for trainer/driver Nathan Sobey.
• Two-year-old colts and geldings: Carving Credit (Up The Credit), by three-and-three-quarter lengths in 1:58.1 for trainer/driver Logan Gillis.
• Three-year-old fillies: Kellys Chase (Mystery Chase), by a neck in 1:58 for driver Giesbrecht and trainer Jacques Lambert.
• Three-year-old colts and geldings: Rememberthecustard (Custard The Dragon), by a length-and-a-half in 1:57.1 for driver Campbell and trainer Rod Hennessy.

Racing will resume at Century Mile on Friday, Nov. 8.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink