Hoerdt hits 2,500 wins

Harness racing trainer and driver Kelly Hoerdt steered Armycaptin Hanover to victory in the Century Downs Open on Tuesday for the horseman’s 2,500th career win in the sulky.

Armycaptin Hanover lagged off the starting gate and dropped back to fourth early in the five-horse group, which completed the first quarter mile in :27.1. Hoerdt moved the gelding second-over behind Dontpokethedragon (Michael Hennessy) after the half in :56.2, and the two moved in on leader Icy Blue Scooter (Nathan Sobey) through the third station.

Dontpokethedragon put his nose in front at three-quarters in 1:24, but Armycaptin Hanover swung widest on the final turn and blew by both to seal Hoerdt’s milestone victory in 1:52.4. Dontpokethedragon won the duel for place; Tiempo Hanover (Brandon Campbell) closed for third.

ARMYCAPTIN HANOVER REPLAY

Hoerdt, who is based in Beaumont, Alta., trains and co-owns the five-year-old son of Captaintreacherous with Blair Corbeil, who also resides in Beaumont. The horse is now 16-for-60 lifetime with $88,822 in earnings. He was a fifth of a second off his lifetime mark on Tuesday as he returned $12.70.

Hoerdt’s career began in 1986, and he has since trained 10,277 starters to 2,098 wins and $15,456,298 in earnings. His drives have performed similarly – they have 2,501 wins (due to Hoerdt also winning Tuesday’s sixth race) and $15,900,813 earned in 15,400 races. Hoerdt won the O’Brien Award for Horsemanship in 2013 and 2020. He had a career year in 2019 with 167 wins from his trainees, and he was 10 wins short of matching that total in 2020 despite a shortened season.

Mrs Suhwiggins (Hennessy) took the other Open event on the card. The five-year-old mare sprinted to the lead, took three left turns while cutting out :28.2, :58.1, and 1:26.3 splits, and crossed the line under wraps in 1:55.1. Chase The Ace (Campbell) finished second after a pocket trip; Outlaw Fireball (Paul Giesbrecht) completed the triactor.

MRS SUHWIGGINS REPLAY

Mrs Suhwiggins is a 19-time winner in 52 lifetime starts for J J J Stables of Prince George. Michael Campbell conditions the Custard The Dragon daughter that paid $5.40 on Tuesday.

Hennessy leads the drivers’ standings with 22 wins to Hoerdt’s 21 at the current meet. Brandon Campbell gained on both with a Tuesday triple – he is third with 19 tallies.

Century Downs sees live racing again on Sunday, Jul. 11. First post will be 2:15 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink