Major Winker Works To Marksman Win
Stalking quick fractions set by a runaway leader, Major Winker reeled in tiring horses to pull a 10-1 upset in the $46,000 Alberta Marksman Final on Sunday, July 14 at Century Downs.
Trainer-driver Dave Hudon positioned the three-year-old Wink N Atcha gelding third as 2-5 favourite Outlawgrabbingears led Crackle N Burn to a :28.2 opening quarter. Crackle N Burn then lost stride from the pocket while Outlawgrabbingears separated from his competition through a :55.4 half.
Outlawgrabbingears held a six-length lead passing three-quarters in 1:24.2, chased by Kneedeep N Custard from second and Major Winker from third. Hudon angled Major Winker wide of Kneedeep N Custard circling the final turn and slowly cut into Outlawgrabbingears’ lead nearing the finish, recouping eight lengths to win by a one-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:55.4. I Ama Rocket closed for third.
Returning $23.60 to win, Major Winker races for owners Kelly Hudon, Ross Rees, John Carey and James Williams. He won his second race from 13 starts this season and his fifth from 22 overall, earning $153,163.
Earlier on the program, Sabine Pass pushed first over to narrowly win the $9,000 Open Pace. The seven-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding sat fourth through a :28 half before pulling first over to challenge pacesetter and odds-on favourite Ima Dude moving to a :56.4 half. Sabine Pass closed to within a length of the lead passing three-quarters in 1:24.2 and overtook Ima Dude in the stretch. Iwontdothatagain tracked from second over and rallied late to finish second by a head in the 1:54 mile while Ima Dude settled for third.
Owned by Audrey Leighland, Sabine Pass won his fourth race from 19 starts this season and his 23rd from 142 overall, earning $220,936. He paid $19.90 to win.
Trainer Kelly Hoerdt scored three wins on the day. He steered his pupils Suspicions Runwild ($5.40) and Machabyebaby ($7.10) to wins while Michael Hennessy drove Three More Smiles ($5.40) to victory.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Century Downs.