Metajka Road Closes Northlands Meet
Metajka Road closed out the meet at Northlands Park, winning the top level $20,000-$25,000 claiming-conditioned handicap pace over the streaking Justabitcrazy on Saturday, Feb. 18.
Driver Brandon Campbell sent Metajka Road to the lead over the quick-leaving newcomer, Well Said Stride (Nathan Sobey), into a :28.1 opening quarter. Get Thereovernight (Kelly Hoerdt) then went first-up in front of the grandstand and gained an advantage on the outside approaching the half in :58.1. He cleared to command into the backstretch and raced to three-quarters in 1:25.2, but Metajka Road tipped out of the pocket turning into the stretch and ran him down in 1:55.1 with rival Justabitcrazy (Ryan Grundy), winner of his last three races, kicking into high gear and closing out wide to snag the second-place honours one length behind.
A runner-up to race favourite Justabitcrazy in their prior February match-ups, Metajka Road was sent postward as the 5-2 second wagering choice and paid $7.50 to win.
The seven-year-old Tajma Hall-Western Brees gelding has hit the board in all five of his starts since being claimed back by trainer Gerry Hudon and company on January 14 for $10,000. Hudon shares ownership of the 21-time career winner with Calgary's Donald and Daniel McDougall.
Metajka Road gave Campbell his third driving win of the day. Northlands' leading horseman also sent out a pair of winners, Smilys Amira ($2.70) and Dontmesswithjim ($4.30), from his own stable on the nine-race card. Smilys Amira earned her fourth straight win with a 12-length romp in 1:56.1 while Dontmesswithjim won for the fifth time in his last six starts, scoring by three-quarters of a length in 1:58.2.
After a one-month hiatus, live harness racing will shift to Century Downs in the Calgary area, beginning on March 18 and running until September 9. Racing will be held at Enoch the following weekend (September 16-17) and then return to Northlands on September 22 and run through New Year’s Eve. To view the Alberta racing calendar, click here.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.