Freshman Albertan pacers battle for finals

Two elimination winners backed up their performances with victories in $50,000 harness racing stakes finals for Alberta-foaled rookie pacers on Sunday at Century Downs.

Vegas Gambler, who took his elimination decisively, flew from five lengths back at the eighth pole to capture the Century Casinos Pace Final for males on Sunday at Century Downs.

Philip Giesbrecht landed him the four-hole from post five and raced him at the pylons throughout the 28:4 first quarter mile and :59.2 half. The son of Mystery Chase found room approaching three-quarters in 1:27.4 as Shotgun Seat (Daryl Thiessen) tired from first-over and backed up the outside flow.

Giesbrecht immediately seized the opportunity and right-lined Vegas Gambler four-wide going into the final turn. Elimination winner Prairie Pursuit (Richard Remillard) held a sizable advantage on the lead at headstretch, but Vegas Gambler tore through it, outkicked his fellow closers, and dispatched that foe to win the stake in 1:57.3 by a length and a half.

Prairie Pursuit finished second, well clear of third-place finisher and elimination winner Farasthe Eyecansee (Michael Hennessy).

VEGAS GAMBLER REPLAY

Vegas Gambler is now two-for-three lifetime for trainer Rodney Starkewski, who co-owns him with Clauzette Byckal of Onoway. They spent $24,000 to buy the colt at the ASHA Yearling Sale.

Saphire Blue remained flawless as she won the $50,000 ASHA Filly Pace Final earlier on the card.
The daughter of Vertical Horizon emerged fastest from the leaving pack and briefly held the top spot until Divine Art (Nathan Sobey) swooped by on the first turn. Hennessy kept Saphire Blue on the leader’s helmet through :27.4 and :57.3 opening fractions, making his move on the final trip down the backstretch.

Divine Art held her foe to minimal gains as they finished the third split in 1:26.2, but Saphire Blue rolled by head at the top of the stretch. Saphire Blue then held off a surging Mitaki (Brandon Campbell) and crossed the finish line in front in 1:56.

Metaki finished second by a half-length, beating Divine Art, who finished third, to the line. First elimination winner Jamaica Move broke at the start but recovered for fifth.

SAPHIRE BLUE REPLAY

Saphire Blue is undefeated in three lifetime starts – she debuted in a maiden contest at Century on Jul. 20 and won the second elimination of the ASHA Filly Pace 11 days later. Harold Haining trains her for Donald Richardson of Cochrane, who bought the filly for $10,000 from the ASHA Yearling Sale.

Century Downs also hosted eliminations for the Shirley McClellan Breeders’ Stake and the Moore’s Mile Breeders’ Stake.

Alberta Sires Stakes Diamond winner Exotic Dragon won the first elimination of the Shirley McClellan Breeders, a stake for Alberta foaled, sired, or owned three-year-old pacing fillies, in 1:52.3. Nathan Sobey drives and trains the Custard The Dragon filly, a $25,000 BC Sale purchase. Burning Hot (driven by Giesbrecht, sired by Blue Burner), finished second, Outlaw Sharktastic (driven by Starkewski, sired by Smart Shark) was third, and Sent By Angels (driven by Brandon Campbell, sired by Custard The Dragon) took fourth.

Graceful Horizon took the second split in 1:54.4 under the control of Kelly Hoerdt. Christopher Lancaster of Airdrie trains and co-owns the daughter of Vertical Horizon with Derek Gilbert of Brandon and Velda Olding of Abbotsford. Jack N Diane (driven by Jamie Gray, sired by Vertical Horizon) took place. Coz Im Special (driven by David Kelly, sired by Mystery Chase) finished third over Custard Smoothie (driven by Campbell, sired by Custard The Dragon), who was fourth.

The $55,000 guaranteed final is set for Sunday, Aug. 22 at Century Downs.

Shark Week, winner of the Alberta Sires Stakes Marksman, captured the first elimination of the Moore’s Mile Breeders’ Stake for Alberta foaled, sired, or owned sophomore male pacers. Hennessy drove for trainer and co-owner Rodney Hennessy, who shares ownership with Lorne Duffield of Edmonton. They bought the Vertical Horizon colt for $6,000 from the ASHA Yearling Sale; Shark Week has earned $77,344 to date. Codename Cigar Box (driven by Hoerdt, sired by Custard The Dragon) was second over Sunshine Boy (driven by Campbell, sired by Sunshine Beach). Bonus Round (driven by Kelly, sired by Santanna Blue Chip) completed the top four.

Dragon Energy became Sobey’s second elimination winner of the day as he topped the second group. The Custard The Dragon colt scored in 1:53.3 for owners and breeders Kurt and Kathy Schmidt of Leduc County. Robert James of Camrose is a part-owner. Carro B Bunsen (driven by Campbell, sired by Blue Burner) emerged second from a three-horse battle for place. Samba Beat (driven by Giesbrecht, sired by Santanna Blue Chip) was third over fourth-place finisher Solid Silver (driven by Kelly, sired by Mystery Chase).

The final also goes for $55,000 guaranteed on Aug. 22.

Century Downs is back in action on Tuesday, Aug. 17.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink