Top Alberta three-year-olds score in ABSS elims

Top West Coast sophomores Grey Horizon (Vertical Horizon) and Outlawguns N Roses (Captive Audience) won their respective harness racing divisions’ Alberta Sires Stakes eliminations on Saturday (Aug. 24) at Century Downs.

Grey Horizon wired the field in the first Alberta Sires Stakes (ABSS) Plainsmen elimination for three-year-old colts and geldings. Brandon Campbell oversaw the 1:55.2 victory as the colt held off Matteuse (Nathan Sobey) down the lane. Rum N Custard (Phil Giesbrecht) finished third over Come On Santana (Jamie Gray).

GREY HORIZON REPLAY

The winning colt, trained by Campbell, is now on a three-race win streak after victories in the Ralph Klein Memorial elimination and final. He also took the Moore’s Mile Breeders’ Stake earlier this season. The roan sophomore is 10-for-18 lifetime with $212,960 in bankroll for owners Jodi Loftus, Raymond Henry, and George Rogers of Calgary.

Outlawguns N Roses impressed in her ABSS Princess elimination as she took over just past the midway point and marched to a four-length win in 1:54.2. Foothills Magic (Giesbrecht) held second after ceding the lead to the winner. Saucy Posse (Hennessy) completed the triactor. Outlawelectricblue (Logan Gillis) was fourth.

OUTLAWGUNS N ROSES REPLAY

Rodney Starkewski trains Outlawguns N Roses, who has won seven of her nine starts this year, including the Alberta Sires Stakes Diamond. Her career totals are 11 wins and $242,750 in 18 appearances. Starkewski shares ownership in the filly with Clauzette Byckal of Onoway.

Yyc On The Horizon (Vertical Horizon, Dave Kelly) seized the lead on the backside and marched to victory in the second Plainsmen split. He was two-and-a-half lengths the best over Outlaw Game On (Mike Hennessy). Blueline Bruiser (Phil Giesbrecht) finished well back in third with One Hot Minute (Campbell) fourth.

YYC ON THE HORIZON REPLAY

Yyc On The Horizon won the last leg of the Alberta Sires Stakes in July and is five-for-14 in his debut year with $54,084 in earnings. Jamie Gray conditions the gelding and co-owns him with Wild Dunes Stables of Delta.

Over Ice (Custard The Dragon) crushed the competition in the first Princess elim. Campbell pulled the filly out of third on the backstretch, and she blasted the race wide-open, keeping the pedal down as she soared to an eight-length victory in 1:55. Oye Como Va (Nathan Sobey) was on her own in second with Delta Sunrise (Kelly) five-and-three-quarter lengths further back in third. Caughstealinghome (Gray) finished fourth.

OVER ICE REPLAY

Over Ice, trained by Campbell, is now seven-for-14 lifetime with $141,613 in the bank. JJJ Stables of Prince George bred and owns the filly.

The finales of the ABSS Princess and Plainsmen are set for Aug. 31 at Century Downs.

Also on the card, Shark Week (Vertical Horizon) battled to his fourth straight score in the Preferred. Mike Hennessy gave the gelding his usual drive, putting him on the engine. Samba Beat (Giesbrecht) popped the pocket on the final turn and took aim down the stretch, but Shark Week held on by three-quarters-of-a-length in 1:53.1. Sunshine Boy (Campbell) was best of the rest, six lengths back.

SHARK WEEK REPLAY

Shark Week has won 21 of his past 22 starts at the top level of Alberta and won 17 straight from May 2023 to April 2024. He became the first horse in Western Canada history to break 1:50 during that stretch and broke the all-time records at both Century Casinos tracks. The gelding’s trainer, Rodney Hennessy, co-owns him with Lorne Duffield of Edmonton. The six-year-old has racked up 46 wins and $388,975 in earnings from 81 career starts.

Century Downs will host its next card on Friday, Aug. 30, kicking off its final race weekend of the season.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink