Samba Beat seems to like setting track records when the temperatures and times of year aren't typically suited for track record speed.

A winner at Century Mile in track record time this past February when the mercury hovered around the freezing mark, Samba Beat lowered his own track standard with a sizzling 1:51.3 mile on Saturday, Nov. 11 with the thermometer around the three degree mark.

Regular pilot Phil Giesbrecht hustled the five-year-old stallion to the front in his Saturday test, an $11,000 conditioned event against six rivals and his first start out of Preferred company since July. After fractions of :27.4, :56 and 1:24, Samba Beat finished off his mile with :27.4 speed to hold off Whiplash Smile (Tom Miller) by three-quarters of a length for the lifetime best and track record-setting  effort. Keystone Tenacious (Mike Hennessy) completed the top trio.

The time of the mile shaved a full second off the previous 1:52.3 mark set by Samba Beat on Feb. 4.

Samba Beat (Santanna Blue Chip - Shes Mach Delight) is owned by trainer Gerry Hudon along with Monica Hudon of Sturgeon County and Bill Andrew of Calgary, Alta. He sports a 17-11-17 summary from his 68 career appearances with $184,816 in purses. He paid $2.90 to win.

For results from the Saturday card of harness racing in Edmonton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Century Mile.

(photo of Samba Beat from Feb. 4)