After having been dispatched at odds of 10-1 from Post 6, Thunder Alley ($22.70) raced like a favourite during Century Downs’ lone third-leg division of the Alberta Snowshoe for freshman male pacers.
The $7,000 clash, which was programmed as Race 1, saw the Douglas Stout trainee leave straight for the point and click off the quarter pole in :28 over a ‘fast’ track.
Thundering Alley and pilot Phil Giesbrecht were getting it all their way on the front early, but that was before the heavy favourite, HF Thegreatpumpkin, with Mike Hennessy aboard, began his first-over advance from well back in sixth.
Giesbrecht and Thundering Alley were able to leisurely make their way to the half-mile pole in :59.2, but HF Thegreatpumpkin really started to apply the pressure in the third frame. In continuing his first-over grind, HF Thegreatpumpkin was able to get to within one a one half lengths of Thunder Alley, as the latter clicked off three quarters in 1:27.4.
But that is where things changed.
Giesbrecht asked Thunder Alley to seal the deal, and the juvenile Mystery Chase gelding did just that.
Thunder Alley rebuffed all his challengers in the final quarter, as he expanded his lead to two lengths at the head of the lane. While coming home with a :29.2 final quarter, Thunder Alley drew off on his foes, as he went on to win by three and a half lengths. His win time was 1:57.1.
After a Post 1 start, the pocket-sitting Trump The Dragon (who was driven by Tyler Redwood) finished second. Post 2 starter Scorcher (David Kelly), who sat third along the rail throughout the mile, finished third, more than six lengths in arrears of the victor. HF Thegreatpumpkin settled for fifth behind the Brandon Campbell-driven HF Shadow Racer.
Thunder Alley – a $7,500 yearling purchase that is out of the Mach Three filly The Three Of Us – has now won three of his 16 starts and more than $20,000 for Jim Wilson, Richard Remillard and Valerie Emerson.
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Century, click the following link: Sunday Results – Century Downs.