The Vertical Horizon gelding Ernesto Delacruz dominated his rivals with a 1:53.1 blowout in the second of two $13,500 eliminations for the Western Canada Pacing Derby on Saturday night (Nov. 26) at Century Mile.
Trainer-driver J. F. Gagne floated Ernesto Delacruz off the wings to race sixth to a :27.4 first quarter while Lets Tie One On took command into the backstretch. Gagne then pulled Ernesto Delacruz first over and marched forward into a :56.3 half to then grab the lead to three-quarters in 1:24.4. The odds-on choice powered home from there while chased by second-over Matts A Mystician to post a 4-3/4-length victory with pocket-sitter Vegas Gambler another three lengths behind in third. Jo Dimagio rode the pylons to take fourth.
Ernesto Delacruz is a homebred for J. F. Gagne and Peter Van Seggelen. He won his 10th race from 23 starts, has now earned $175,833 and paid $3.10 to win.
A race prior, Joe Rich rallied from off the speed to pull an 8-1 upset in the other Western Canada Pacing Derby elimination in a 1:54.1 mile.
Even-money favourite Redstone Arsenal rolled to the lead to a :28.1 first quarter and widened his lead through a :57 half and three-quarters in 1:25.3. Turning for home four lengths clear, Redstone Arsenal started to shorten stride as pocket-sitter Knockin Boots and first-over Joe Rich reeled in the loose leader. Joe Rich fired with more momentum and slid 1-3/4 lengths ahead of Knockin Boots at the finish with Redstone Arsenal fading to third and Itll Be Fine taking fourth.
Driver Jamie Gray trains Joe Rich for owners J J J Stables, Jim Marino and Paul Sanders. The Custard The Dragon colt won his ninth race from 25 starts and has now earned $108,458. He paid $18.80 to win.
Shark Week went coast to coast earlier in the card in the $13,500 Preferred Pace. The four-year-old Vertical Horizon stallion stopped the clock in 1:52.3 to collect his 18th win and push his bankroll to $185,985. Michael Hennessy drove the $2.70 winner for trainer Rod Hennessy, who co-owns with Lorne Duffield.
Similar speed tactics placed Stash The Cookies in the winner’s circle of the $13,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred Pace. Trainer-driver Logan Gillis motored the six-year-old Sunfire Blue Chip mare to the lead up the backside and coasted to a 1:53.2 win. Derek Gilbert owns the 22-time winner who has accrued $237,894 in earnings. She paid $6.60 to win.
Trainer-driver David Kelly vaulted off the speed to a 1:54.2 victory with Munchie Chris in the $10,500 Preferred 2 Pace. Kelly co-owns the five-year-old Toucam Sam gelding with Daniel and Donald McDougall. The gelding won his 18th race from 92 starts and has now earned $96,113. He paid $7.10 to win.
Prepping for the Century Casinos Filly Pace, Daisy Corvette also closed to open the card with a 1:55.3 win in the $10,500 Three-Year-Old Filly Open. Dave Kelly steered the daughter of Mystician to her sixth victory in 18 starts, which padded her bankroll to $59,472 for owners Keith Clark and Archie Benekos. Nate Sobey conditions the $9.30 winner.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Century Mile.