Leading the whole mile, Crackle N Burn withstood late-race pressure to hit the finish first in the $9,000 Open Pace at Century Downs on Tuesday (Oct. 6).
Driver Phil Giesbrecht sent the Rod Starkewski trainee to the top with HF Thegreatpumpkin settling into the pocket and Tiempo Hanover into third moving to a :27.2 first quarter. Tiempo Hanover tipped first over passing the stands first time and ranged closer to the leader approaching a :56 half, but stalled to three-quarters in 1:24.2. Crackle N Burn grew leg weary into the stretch but gamely turned away HF Thegreatpumpkin as he popped pocket in the stretch, settling for second by a neck. Tiempo Hanover held third in a photo with 8-5 favourite Outlaw Gunsablazin.
A four-year-old gelding by Blue Burner, Crackle N Burn won his second race from 13 starts this season and his 11th from 44 overall, earning $169,454. He paid $6.50 to win.
Brandon Campbell had himself a day on the 11-race card, driving five winners on the card including three of his trainees. From his barn, Dont Rock The Boat ($14.90), Ima Momas Boy ($3.00) and Amysterytome ($3.80) claimed victory while Campbell also steered Wink N Win ($6.40) and Custards Crown ($4.10) to victory.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Century Downs.