Century Mile brings the Christmas cheer

Santa Claus defeated the Grinch in the Race to Save Christmas at Century Mile on Saturday (Dec. 17) as the harness racing track hosted its last card until Boxing Day.

In between races six and seven, Santa Claus and the Grinch squared off. Santa won the contest, with Rudolph – actually eight-year-old gelding Naked Burner – pulling his one-horse open sleigh to victory. The Grinch, driving Max – played by Kootenay Lager, a six-year-old gelding – was a few lengths behind in second.

It was the second straight victory for Santa and Rudolph in the Race to Save Christmas; St. Nick also won in 2019.  Owners Marissa Kleinsasser and Logan Gillis donated Rudolph and Max, respectively, for the day. The track also held an ugly Christmas sweater contest and a charity toy drive to benefit Alberta organizations.

In the pari-mutuel card, Outlaw Gunsablazin (Blue Burner) went wire-to-wire in the Preferred 2 feature. Michael Hennessy piloted the six-year-old gelding to the 1:56.3, one-and-a-half-length win over Itll Be Fine (Logan Gillis). Retros Mystery (David Kelly) was third.

OUTLAW GUNSABLAZIN REPLAY

Outlaw Gunsablazin is now 18-for-90 lifetime with a bankroll of $215,908. Rodney Starkewski trains the gelding and co-owns him with Clauzette Byckal of Onoway.

Century Mile will race next on Monday, Dec. 26.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink