Mercedes motors to first Preferred victory

Mercedes (All Bets Off) took his first career Preferred-level harness racing victory in a tough front-end performance in the Preferred-2 at Century Mile on Saturday (Jan. 25).

Jean-Francois Gagne piloted the stallion with confidence, driving on from post eight through a :28.4 first quarter to take the lead on the backstretch. Mercedes reached the midway point in :56.4, when Matts A Mystician ranged up first-over to pressure him to three-quarters in 1:25.3.

Mercedes brushed off the challenger at the top of the lane and clawed back a two-length advantage. Pocket-sitter Vinny N The Iceman (Logan Gillis) gave chase down the stretch as the two separated from the rest, but Mercedes held him off to win by three-quarters-of-a-length in 1:53.3.

Vinny N The Iceman, who finished second, was disqualified to sixth for interference. Believe It Sea It (Kelly Hoerdt) was promoted to place, and Kioti (Phil Giesbrecht) inherited third.

MERCEDES REPLAY

Mercedes has racked up 15 career victories and $85,936 in earnings from 28 outings for trainer Brandon Campbell. The stallion finished second in his first two Preferred attempts, both first-up trips. Raymond Henry of Calgary owns the five-year-old.

Century Mile will host its next card on Wednesday, Jan. 29, beginning at 6:15 p.m. MST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink