Velocity McSweets, coming off back-to-back solid tries in Open company, gets the top billing in Friday (Jan. 5) night’s $7,895 feature for pacing distaffers.
A nine-race card is on tap under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:45 p.m.
Velocity McSweets is a nine-year-old daughter of McArdie who is owned and trained by Jennifer Sabot and will once again have James Kennedy at the controls from the cozy rail slot.
After coming in from Chicago, the bay miss rattled off two solid conditioned scores here to kick off the meet, on both occasions sitting back early and then making a big move past the half to get the job done.
Stepping up to the Open level for her last pair, Velocity McSweets has turned in big miles while finishing secod to Starrzznstripes and then third behind Graceful Horizon after being shuffled.
Taking her on Friday are Princessofthedawn with Nick Roland, Muffin Top with Mooney Svendsen, Bekkums Fancy Star and Jake Cutting, Wish I Had Thyme for Gerry Longo, Senga Nightmare with Ryan Grundy and Aint She Special for Luke Plano.
Looking ahead to Sunday (Jan. 6) night’s card, Halleysbigomet headlines the $20,658 Jack Williams final for pacing fillies and mares.
Senga Nightmare continues to do her thing
After blowing by her rivals when it counted last week, Senga Nightmare has now posed for snapshots following half of her six appearances at the meet for owner/driver/trainer Ryan Grundy.
The newly turned six-year-old mare has a pair of Sire Stakes trophies on her mantle from two years ago and is just over the $160,000 earnings plateau.
“I’ve had her since her first start up at Alberta and I guess you would just describe her as being workmanlike,” noted Grundy. “When she got here for this meet, she hadn’t been racing at her best and she was able to get into some softer spots and build up her confidence.”
Senga Nightmare has used a strong late kick to get the job done in her recent victories, but her mentor notes she doesn’t necessarily have to wait until the stretch to let loose.
“It’s been mostly the draw and the way things have worked out,” noted Grundy. “If you look at some of her other wins, though, you’ll see she can make a move to the lead at the half and keep going.”
Grundy also pointed out that the track up in Alberta is limestone and Senga Nightmare is much more at home over a dirt course like Cal Expo.
She’s certainly been driving him that point in her trio of victories at this stand.
(With files from Cal Expo)