The sun shone on Century Downs as the Calgary track, delaying opening day due to weather and track conditions, finally kicked off racing for the 2019 season on Sunday, March 17.

The opening-day card featured a $7,700 pace won by Cheddar Jack, who won the Ralph Klein Memorial at Century Downs by disqualification last year. The four-year-old Betterthancheddar gelding wound three wide off cover to collar pocket-popper and stable-mate Paradise Hill at the wire in 1:57.2 by a head. Rod Hennessy conditions the top-two finishers for owners Lorne Duffield and Diane Hennessy. Brandon Campbell drove the $6.70 winner.

Phil Giesbrecht took the first race of the meet by popping pocket with his six-year-old Mystery Chase gelding Pocket Novel. Giesbrecht, who won two on the day training and three driving, tipped off the rail passing three-quarters and edged a half-length better than favourite Real Buzz to win in 1:58.4. He paid $8.30 to win.

Trainers Rod Hennessy, Robert Parish and Rod Starkewski doubled on the day while Campbell tied Giesbrecht for most driving wins on the day with three.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Century Downs.