Western Canadian champ returns sharp

Ernesto Delacruz (Vertical Horizon), off since his commanding Western Canada Pacing Derby triumph, started his 2023 season with a harness racing victory in the Preferred-2 at Century Mile on Saturday (Jan. 21).

The gelding sat a gapped-off fifth for the opening half-mile and followed fourth-placed Whiplash Smile (Thomas Miller) to the outside as the field turned for home. Ernesto Delacruz stayed in the two-path for Jean Francois Gagne as his cover bore out, and he split through in deep stretch with a burst to victory in 1:54.1. He beat pacesetter Outlaw Gunsablazin (Brandon Campbell) by a length. Samba Beat (Phil Giesbrecht) rolled late for show.

ERNESTO DELACRUZ REPLAY

Ernesto Delacruz is now 12-for-25 lifetime following an outstanding rookie season at three. He won the $100,000 Moore’s Mile Breeders’ Stakes in May, the $55,700 Alberta Sires Stakes Maverick in September, the $75,000 Alberta Sires Stakes Super Final in October, and the $93,310 Western Canada Pacing Derby in December. He has raked in $227,738 in purses. Gagne owns, trains, and drives the gelding he co-bred.

Campbell had a remarkable day at the lines with six victories on the 12-dash card. He scored with Gts Barebottomgirl (Sportswriter, 1:56.3), Portaj (Tajma Hall, 1:58.3), No Collusion (Riverboat King, 1:55), Wink N Win (Wink N Atcha, 1:54.3), Promising Flight (Test Flight, 1:57), and Metaki (Vertical Horizon, 1:56.1). David Kelly was also prominent – he drove four winners, three of which he trains.

Century Mile has two cards remaining in its meet. The Edmonton track will race next on Saturday, Jan. 28 and wrap up its season on Feb. 4.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink