Natural grand slam for Ellis

Century Mile’s leading harness racing trainer Travis Ellis won four straight races to scoop half of the track’s Saturday (Dec. 14) card.

The trainer opened his account in the first as Trust Me A Lot (Trust The Artist, Mike Hennessy) circled the field in a dominant performance. The filly, away last of six, reached the front before the third station and dashed clear of her rivals by eight lengths to win in 1:57.2. It was the Manitoban stakes winner’s eighth victory in 26 career starts.

TRUST ME A LOT REPLAY

Chaseisonthecase (Mystery Chase) provided the double for Hennessy/Ellis combination, winning the fourth. The six-year-old stallion barreled away to a loose lead in the first half and held off a closing rival down the lane for a half-length win in 1:54.2. Flying Officer (Riverboat King, Nathan Sobey) then took the fifth for Ellis, earning his 25th lifetime victory in 1:57.2.

Tajmania (Tajma Hall) completed the trainer’s grand slam in the sixth in a wire-to-wire performance. The gelding reached a quarter-century in earnings as Sobey, now second in the trainers’ standings to Ellis, piloted the six-year-old to a 1:55.3 win.

TAJMANIA REPLAY

Ellis has racked up 30 victories at Century Mile this season and leads Sobey by four. The conditioner is now 70-for-345 this season, a success rate of 20.3 per cent.

Century Mile’s next program is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 20.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink