Horseman Douglas Shaw celebrated a career milestone on Friday night at Northlands Park as he earned his 1,000th training victory in the fifth race.
Riverside Stables' four-year-old pacer Western Fortune was Shaw's 1,000th winner as he went gate-to-wire in 1:59 flat. With Travis Cullen catch-driving, the son of Camystic prevailed by a quarter-length over the pocket-pulling Full Moon Dodger, who broke stride late after a heated stretch duel. Western Fortune paid $5.90 to win as the 5-2 second choice. Ideal Cash finished back in third.
Horses trained by Shaw have earned more than $3 million in purses. The Cremona, Alberta horseman has trained standardbreds for more than 30 years and has also won 1,597 races and over $3.2 million as a driver. One of his favourite horses was a filly named Firacy that he drove during her undefeated freshman season in which she won eight races, including multiple Alberta stakes finals.
Shaw is currently training a stable of 21 horses, including 15 two and three-year-olds that are gearing up for the stakes season at the new Century Downs racetrack in Balzac.
Friday night's featured $10,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace was won by American Passion and trainer/driver/co-owner Gerry Hudon for the second week in a row. The five-year-old daughter of American Ideal advanced from fourth to take the lead during the third quarter and cruised home to a one and a quarter length victory in 1:59.1 over favourite Sing Like An Angel and Blue Star Beauty. R. Lynn Kowalevsky and Monica Hudon also share ownership of the 13-time winner.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Northlands Park.