Ernesto Delacruz completed his comeback to top-class success as he won a Preferred-level race for the first time since 2023 in a gate-to-wire performance in the $15,500 Preferred Pace on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Century Mile.

Jean-Francois Gagne launched the gelding from the two-hole to out-sprint rail starter Needabankloan (Brandon Campbell) to the turn. Ernesto Delacruz’s early speed carried him to a three-length edge at the quarter in :28.3, and he remained up by two lengths with an identical second panel to the half in :57.1 with Outlaw Game On (Mike Hennessy) ranging up uncovered. After charging to three-quarters in 1:25, Ernesto Delacruz turned away Outlaw Game On at the top of the stretch, then held off the pylon push of Needabankloan by a quarter-length for the 1:53.2 victory. One Major Hottie (Phil Giesbrecht) closed for third.

Ernesto Delacruz, 11 starts into his return season after missing 2025 and nearly all of 2024, is 2-3-1 on the year, including place finishes to Shark Week in his last two outings. He was the Three-Year-Old Open Colt or Gelding ASHA Award winner for his 2022 season in which he won his Alberta Sires Stakes Super Final, the Western Canada Pacing Derby and Moore’s Mile Breeders’ Stakes. Gagne, of Wetaskiwin, Alta., owns and trains the seven-year-old son of Vertical Horizon-Camifasolasi Do, who is now 18-for-60 lifetime and has earned $334,058. The win price was $3.60.

To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Century Mile.

(Standardbred Canada)