One of three training wins for Dave Kelly, Hf Jesse James darted to victory in the first division for round one of the Century Milers series for sophomore pacing colts on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Century Mile.
Kelly cleared command with Hf Jesse James heading to a :28.2 first quarter and withstood first-over pressure from Flying Officer through middle splits of :56.3 and 1:26. The pair separated from the rest of the field through the lane with Hf Jesse James maintaining a three-quarter length advantage on Flying Officer at the finish of the 1:55.3 mile. Hf Shadow Racer finished 12 lengths farther back in third.
A gelded son of Pang Shui, Hf Jesse James won his fifth race from 42 starts, earning $26,175. The $5.10 winner races for owner Pick 6 Stable and started Kelly’s training hat trick. His other wins came with Wind Writer ($4.70) and Freedoms Rescue ($6.30).
Kootenay Lager went wire to wire in the second split of the Century Milers with a 1:58 mile. The gelded son of Vertical Horizon took the lead past a :29 first quarter and parked Chase N The Divas through a :58.3 half and three-quarters in 1:29.2. Trick Shot closed from last through the stretch to finish second, just missing victory by a neck. Joe King took third.
Owned by Lorne Duffield, Jean Crochetiere and trainer Rod Hennessy, Kootenay Lager won his fifth race from 25 starts, earning $26,766. Michael Hennessy drove the $4.40 winner.
Dizzy Dean dashed in the lone Century Milers split for freshmen pacing colts as he won by five-and-three-quarter lengths in 2:00.3. Trainer-driver Rod Hennessy, who co-owns the Vertical Horizon colt with Lorne Duffield, sat fifth as Unleash The Dragon took command past a :30.4 opening quarter but then got shuffled as Hf Its Bambi emerged in control by a 1:00.4 half.
Wink N Win soon overtook the tiring leaders nearing three-quarters in 1:31.2 but stalled through the stretch as Dizzy Dean had the freshest legs and swept past to victory. Kingofthewest took second with Wink N Win fading to third.
Winning his second race from three starts, Dizzy Dean has earned $5,250. He paid $5.00 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Century Mile.