Samba Beat wins; Outlaw C My Shadow streak ends

Samba Beat (Santanna Blue Chip) captured the top harness racing pace at Century Downs on Friday (Jul. 14), while Outlaw C My Shadow’s winning streak ended at 12 as he broke stride in his first start since April.

Samba Beat and Phil Giesbrecht secured the lead and forced Outlaw C My Shadow (Brandon Campbell) in to a hole for the first time since November. The former set :27.3 and :56.2 fractions on the front and maintained a strong grip on the lead as Vegas Gambler (Nathan Sobey) made a first-over move before three-quarters in 1:24.2.

Vegas Gambler’s move fizzled coming down the stretch, and Outlaw C My Shadow broke from the pocket. Ernesto Delacruz (Jean-Francois Gagne) then came with a second-over rush, but Samba Beat was unassailable on the day and reached home a length-and-a-half to the good in 1:51.4.

Ernesto Delacruz was second, a length-and-three-quarters clear of Vegas Gambler.

SAMBA BEAT REPLAY

Samba Beat, a former Alberta Sires Stakes champion, is now 16-for-59 lifetime with $165,036 in earnings. Gerry Hudon trains the five-year-old stallion and co-owns him with Monica Hudon and William Andrew.

Also on the card, Grey Horizon (Vertical Horizon) broke his maiden in the two-year-old dash. The colt, driven by Campbell, popped the pocket on leader Acefortyfour Zeus (John Hudon) turning for home and stormed off to score by six lengths in 1:58.3. Come On Santana (Jamie Gray) passed rivals late for place. Shark Attack (Giesbrecht) finished third.

GREY HORIZON REPLAY

Owners Jodi Loftus, Raymond Henry, and George Rogers bought the colt from the ASHA Yearling Sale for $55,000. Campbell trains the colt out of Eternal Camnation Stakes and Pennsylvania Sires Stakes winner Panagler. He was the second highest-priced yearling of the sale.

The next card at Century Downs on Saturday, Jul. 15 will feature eliminations for the Alberta Sires Stakes Marquis and Maverick.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink