Century Mile kicked off its 2025 racing season on Saturday, Jan. 4, while Shark Week took a bite out of the half-century mark, securing the 50th victory of his career in the $12,500 Preferred Pace.
Assigned the outside post five with regular pilot Mike Hennessy in tow, Shark Week grabbed command quickly on the first turn, taking the field to the quarter in :28.1. Challengers refused to test the waters up the backstretch, allowing the 1-20 favourite to have things his way to the halfway point in :57.1. Matts A Mystician (Nathan Sobey) was the first to move on the final turn, moving first-over from third as Shark Week raced to three-quarters in 1:26, 2-1/2 half lengths clear.
In the lane, Shark Week paced home in :28.4 to coast to a 1:54.4 victory, 2-1/4 lengths clear on the wire. Matts A Mystician secured the place position and General Custard (Dave Kelly) rallied for third.
A winner in 29 of 34 starts between 2023 and 2024, Shark Week enters 2025 at age seven for trainer Rod Hennessy. The gelded son of Vertical Horizon-Shark Gone Bad sports a career bankroll of $426,475 having hit the board in 70 of his 85 career outings for Rod Hennessy, who also co-owns with Lorne Duffield.
The win was one of four on the evening for driver Mike Hennessy, including winning the first two legs of a natural hat trick to conclude the card for trainer Travis Ellis.
Hennessy guided BB Bad Tothebone ($5.40, 2:00.4) and Chaseisonthecase ($3.80, 1:56.2) to victories before Flying Officer ($4.40, 1:58.2) completed the Ellis training triple with driver Philip Giesbrecht in the finale.
The Century Mile 2025 meet continues with a Wednesday and Saturday schedule through Feb. 14, with the exception of that closing night card.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Century Mile.
(Standardbred Canada)