Back from layoff, Shark Week extends streak

A month off could not stop Shark Week (Vertical Horizon) from increasing his harness racing winning streak to 14 as he scooped the Century Mile Preferred again on Saturday (Dec. 9).

For the sixth straight start, the gelding filled his program with ones. His four rivals let him have it his way as Michael Hennessy rated him to :28.3, :56.2, and 1:24.2 fractions. Samba Beat (Phil Giesbrecht) and Ernesto Delacruz (Jean-Francois Gagne) gave chase down the lane, but Shark Week proved as untouchable as ever as he coolly wrapped up the victory in 1:52.2 with a cushion of two-and-a-quarter lengths. Ernesto Delacruz pipped Samba Beat late for place.

SHARK WEEK REPLAY

Shark Week has not lost a race since April with 14 consecutive wins at the Preferred level. The gelding became the first horse to break 1:50 in Western Canada in June and holds the overall track record at Century Mile and Century Downs. Rodney Hennessy trains the five-year-old and co-owns him with Lorne Duffield of Edmonton. Shark Week has now won 39 of 73 career starts and has earend  $334,475.

Century Mile racing continues on Friday, Dec. 15.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink