Shark Week chomps again for 16th straight

Shark Week (Vertical Horizon) brought Canada’s longest harness racing winning streak into 2024 with a 16th consecutive victory on Saturday (Jan. 6) at Century Mile.

The gelding fired forward under urging from Michael Hennessy and took control before the quarter for the eighth straight start. He cut the mile with fractions of :26.2, :55.4, and 1:25.2.

Ernesto Delacruz (Jean Francois Gagne) emerged from the pocket coming down the stretch and put Shark Week to the test. Ernesto Delacruz was in a full-out drive and made slight gains, but Shark Week had his number and was wrapped up crossing the line a winner 1:52.4.

Ernesto Delacruz was a clear second-best and reduced the margin late to be the first horse since July to come within a length of Shark Week. Bonus Round (Dave Kelly) finished third.

SHARK WEEK REPLAY

Shark Week’s 16th straight win at the top level was his 41st career victory. The six-year-old has earned $348,475 in 75 lifetime appearances. Rodney Hennessy trains the gelding and co-owns him with Lorne Duffield of Edmonton.

Phil Giesbrecht was the night’s top driver with three wins on the nine-race card.

Century Mile will hold racing next on Friday, Jan. 12.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink