Samba Beat shatters his own record

Samba Beat (Santanna Blue Chip) erased one instance of Shark Week from the Century Mile harness racing record books as he took sole ownership of the aged pacing stallion track record on Saturday (Nov. 11).

The five-year-old, who tied Shark Week’s 1:52.3 record in wintery conditions in February, went to the lead in Saturday’s contest. He completed the quarter in :27.4 and reached the midway point in :56 with no action behind him. Only Armycaptin Hanover (Jean Francois Gagne) moved in the third panel, leaving Samba Beat and Phil Giesbrecht unbothered to three-quarters in 1:24.

He turned for home with a length-and-a-half lead, and he fended off the closing Whiplash Smile (Thomas Michael Miller) to secure the victory in 1:51.3.

Whiplash Smile finished second, out-kicking pocket-tripper Keystone Tenacious (Michael Hennessy).

SAMBA BEAT REPLAY

Samba Beat had not won since July before knocking a full second off his record. He shared the spot with Shark Week, who set a new overall track record as a gelding in October. Gerry Hudon trains the five-year-old stallion, who has now collected $184,816 and 17 wins in 68 starts lifetime. He co-owns him with Monica Hudon and William Andrew.

Also on the card, Alberta Sires Stakes-contending colt Over The Horizon (Vertical Horizon) won an overnight event. The sophomore, who finished second in the Western Canada Pacing Derby, won by a neck in a two-move effort over Rockin Roller (Brandon Campbell) in 1:55. Nathan Sobey trains, drives, and co-owns the colt with Keith Clark of Foothills and Robert Jones of Stony Plain. Over The Horizon has now won seven of his 29 career outings and has accrued $147,335 in earnings.

OVER THE HORIZON REPLAY

Century Mile will resume racing on Friday, Nov. 17.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink