Track record in $122,200 Rumpel Memorial

Outlawguns N Roses (Captive Audience) became the fastest three-year-old in Century Downs history with a dominating harness racing victory in the $122,200 Gord and Illa Rumpel Memorial on Saturday (Aug. 11).

The filly, driven by Dave Kelly, was on top first but let Kootenay Cocoa (Phil Giesbrecht) take the lead before the quarter and dictate first-half fractions of :26.4 and :55.2. Outlawguns N Roses popped the pocket to take over on the backstretch, a move mirrored by favourite Byby Baby Byby (Mike Hennessy), who struggled to stay with new leader as they went to three-quarters in 1:23.1.

Outlawguns N Roses shifted into high gear coming around the final turn and stormed away from her rivals. She motored home to an eight-length triumph in 1:51.3. Byby Baby Byby finished second with Over Ice (Brandon Campbell) another four lengths back in third.

The mile reduced the record for a three-year-old pacing filly by a full second and beat the previous all-sex three-year-old record set by Kneedeep N Custard in 2019.

OUTLAWGUNS N ROSES REPLAY

Outlawguns N Roses has won six of her eight starts this year at three, including the Alberta Sires Stakes Diamond final. The Rodney Starkewski-trained filly has now earned $236,500 and won 10 times in 17 career appearances. Starkewski co-owns her with Clauzette Byckal.

Heavy favourite Grey Horizon (Vertical Horizon) took a personal best as he captured the other stake of the Midsummer Classic card, the $105,570 Ralph Klein Memorial for three-year-old males.

The colt and Campbell controlled the race, putting up :27, :56.2, and 1:23.1 fractions. He came into the stretch with a two-length lead and stymied the advances of a closing trio to score by a length-and-a-quarter in 1:53.

Solar Solution (Giesbrecht) held off the closing Rum N Custard (Kelly Hoerdt) for place.

GREY HORIZON REPLAY

The victory was Grey Horizon’s second in a stake final this year. He also won the Moore’s Mile Breeders’ Stake for Campbell, who trains the sophomore for Jodi Loftus, Raymond Henry, and George Rogers. The colt is nine-for-17 with $206,710 in career bankroll.

The next race date at Century Downs is set for Friday, Aug. 16.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink