Friday night racing preview for Century Mile

There are only four more dates of harness racing scheduled to take place at Century Mile in 2023. Friday’s (Dec. 15) card has eight dashes and a Pick 5 wager starting in race five.

Race 1

This is the first time Raging Beauty (Outrageous Art) draws the rail, and she will be teaming up with Brandon Campbell. The three-year-old filly has posted sub-2:00 minute times before, and it could be dangerous with her where she will line up.

The morning line favourite, Pull The Trigger (Vertical Horizon), opens at 2-1 but must come from post six. His mile times are similar to Raging Beauty, and he has over twice the starts.

The oldest horse in the mix is Mach N Custard (Custard The Dragon) and will come from the far outside. The four-year-old gelding has only made 13 career starts but has never finished in the top three yet. He led for most of his last race but was passed late. Blake Piwniuk will be in the bike once again.

Race 2

Amped Up Annie (Vertical Horizon) is coming off an impressive win where she paced the mile in 1:57.1. She has had some trouble from outside positions, but she is one of the top contenders in the field.

Since moving to Alberta from Manitoba, AK Nite Lady (Andreoli Hanover) has been very competitive. She has earned a cheque in her last four starts at Century Mile, and she draws inside compared to the other favourites.

The 2023 ABSS three-year-old Super Final bronze medal winner, Nonversation (Mystician), hasn’t won since late October, but she has been near the top. Her lifetime mark of 1:55.4 is from that win in October and is the fastest in the field.

Race 3

Making her first start under a new trainer, Outlaw Allie Oops (Blue Burner), should still be tough to beat. She won his last race and came from post four. This time, she draws post position five in a field of only five. Kelly Hoerdt was her usual driver, but with the change of stable comes a change of driver. Now Brandon Campbell will be in the bike.

Myomylookatmefly (Lambretta) will want to fly off the gate to take the early lead. The seven-year-old mare. She likes to take the lead right from the get-go but can also come from off the pace. Her last win was a couple of starts ago at Century Mile, and she went 1:56.3. Her lifetime mark is 1:53.3, but that was achieved at Fraser Downs.

At 4-1, Stylomilohos (Myster Chase) is the next top choice. She only has one win this year but 15 top-three finishes. Her lifetime mark of 1:54.3 came in that one win at Track On 2.

Race 4

Ima Beach Diva (Sunshine Beach) will attempt to make it three wins in a row. She won with the mile times of 1:56.3 and 1:56.4. She enjoyed a pocket trip in her last start but also won wire-to-wire. Campbell can choose what spot will be best for her.

The ABSS three-year-old filly Super Final winner, You Promyst (Mystician), hasn’t won since claiming the trophy. She finished second place twice, but one was stripped because she somehow got her head under the gate wing before the start. Since then, she has been very competitive but insufficient to complete the job.

The ABSS three-year-oldSuper Final consolation winner, Cora Cora Cora (Captive Audience), has finished in the top three 12 times in 20 starts this year. She has been racing well since then, adding another win to her credit. Adding her to any Pick 5 wagers would be a safe bet.

Race 5

Go On Bow Bow (Lambretta) has three wins and has been winning them with solid mile times. She set a new lifetime mark of 1:55.4 to start her streak and followed them up with a 1:56.3 and 1:56.0. The six-year-old mare has six wins this year.

Havingfuninthesun (Sunshine Beach) had a big showing in her last race and finished second just behind Go On Bow Bow. The odds maker gave her 8-1 odds, but she should be strongly considered after her last race.

Oriental Express (Mystician) finished third by Go On Bow Bow and Havingfuninthesun last time and can make things interesting in this one. With an inside draw, she should be considered in any Pick 5 wager.

Race 6

Teddy Hanover (Betting Line) could have a decent price attached at post time as he opened at 4-1 morning line odds. Even though he hasn’t added many wins lately, he has posted times sub 1:57. Back-to-back drives for Brandon Campell with the four-year-old gelding. The two should have each other figured out a bit more now.

Military Man (Heston Blue Chip) has won two of his last three races and has never finished worse than third in his previous five. He has been old and reliable lately and is very friendly at the betting window.

The morning line favourite, HF Devan James (Wink N Atcha), is an exciting choice. He should be considered in any multi-leg race, but his times have been slower than the others lately. Having drawn the rail should help, but he’s got tough competitors lining up on the outside.

Race 7

Artician (Mystician) is the fastest pacer in the field with a lifetime mark of 1:53.3. His times are over a second faster than others have recently. He hasn’t been getting the wins, but the times alone should be reason enough. He should be good enough to single in the Pick 5.

It’s wide open for second place, and a long shot could sneak in. Cease Fire (Vertical Horizon) could bring a payday with his 6-1 odds. He teams up with Phillip Giesbrecht once again after getting the win last time. He paced the mile in 1:58.2 and earned his fourth win of the year. Surprisingly, the colt has never finished second in his 20 career starts.

Lunch Pail Guy (Santanna Blue Cip) finished just behind Cease Fire last week. He has 3-1 odds and will come out of post two. He only has one career win, which came earlier this year.

Race 8

Post-nine shouldn’t be an obstacle for Outlawstormywether (Blue Burner). The eight-year-old mare has three wins this year, and they all came in her last six starts. She also has two second-place finishes in her previous three races, with a win in between. She likes to go straight to the front, which will be difficult this time, but she could manage a nice pocket trip.

Goodbye Ceia Later (Vertical Horizon) will look to jump on the early lead, with the favourite being buried in the second tier. She has jumped to the lead on occasion recently but has been unable to hold one. This time, she does get post position two, which should help.

With Outlawstormywether in the second tier and Goodbye Ceia Later likely charging off the gate, that should leave a cozy pocket for the rail horse, Metaki (Vertical Horizon).

Pick 5 (Races 4-8): 2,4,7/2,3,7,8/1,2,6/6/

First race at Century Mile is set for  6:15 p.m. MDT.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Trey Colbeck, for Harnesslink