Grey Horizon cements crown in $107,030 WC Pacing Derby

Grey Horizon (Vertical Horizon) won his third straight harness racing stake final and solidified his status as Alberta’s best sophomore colt as he captured the $107,030 Western Canada Pacing Derby on Saturday (Oct. 12) at Century Mile.

Driven by trainer Brandon Campbell, he left to take the lead from post two before letting the firing Believe It Sea It (Kelly Hoerdt) before the quarter in :29. Believe It Sea It blitzed the second panel, reaching the half in :56.2 while building a four-length lead, but Grey Horizon reeled him approaching the final turn and pulled out to attack at three-quarters in 1:25.1.

Believe It Sea It put up resistance into mid-stretch, but Grey Horizon put him away and drew clear, coming home two-lengths clear in 1:54.3. Outlawstaythcourse (Dave Kelly) charged from eighth to second in the stretch, nailing Yyc On The Horizon (Jamie Gray) for place on the far outside.

Grey Horizon returned $2.30 to win.

GREY HORIZON REPLAY

The winning roan colt passed $300,000 in career earnings with the win, his 13th lifetime in 21 appearances. He has won six straight races, all stakes events, and is eight-for-13 this year. Jodi Loftus, Raymond Henry, and George Rogers own the sophomore colt.

Outlawguns N Roses (Captive Audience) made it five straight with an impressive victory in the co-featured $131,720 Century Casino Filly Pace.

Dave Kelly dropped her in fifth from post seven to the quarter in :27.4 but had her out and moving shortly after. The filly advanced into the breeze in a :57.1 half and edged clear of Over Ice (Campbell) nearing three-quarters in 1:24.3. Outlawguns N Roses finished off that rival on the final turn and gave no shot to the pocket-sitting Byby Baby Byby (Mike Hennessy). Bares All shot into contention, but Outlawguns N roses, drifting to the outer rail, powered clear to a four-and-a-half-length triumph in 1:53.1.

Bares All (Logan Gillis) was second off the winner’s cover. Byby Baby Byby held third.

OUTLAWGUNS N ROSES  REPLAY

Outlawguns N Roses is 10-for-12 this year with wins in four stakes finals. Racing for trainer Rodney Starkewski, the filly has won 14 times and has earned $340,810 from 21 career outings. Starkewski co-owns her with Clauzette Byckal of Onoway.

Kelly and Hennessy both won four of the night’s 12 races.

Racing continues at Century Mile on Friday, Oct. 18.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink