After winning her ASHA Breeders Stake elimination last week, Shark Fest pulled out an enormous effort to capture the $135,500 Final for three-year-old filly pacers in rein to trainer and owner Keith Clark this afternoon at Northlands Park.
Doober Hoozzitz (Warren Grant) fired off the gate with A Ps Money Maker (Bill Tainsh, Jr.) settling in the two-hole while Shark Fest and Clark got away fourth. The 14-1 shot led the field to the first quarter pole in :27.2, but Shark Fest rolled up clearing the front before the half in :55.4.
As the 3-5 favourite led the field past the third quarter station in 1:24, A Ps Money Maker popped out for the challenge and the duo battled down the stretch. A Ps Money Maker pulled ahead of the leader, but Shark Fest came back on for the win by over two lengths in 1:53.2 – a new lifetime mark. Red Star Hottie (Jamie Gray) was third.
The daughter of Cams Card Shark scored her ninth win and increased her bankroll to $175,181 for Clark and Harvey and Ann Jaeger of Okotoks, Alta.
The win was one of five for Trust The Artist and trainer/driver Kelly Hoerdt reached the first quarter station on top in a hot :27.2. The 9-5 favourite led the field to half in a nifty :55.2 before facing a challenge from Tajma Hall (Jean Gagne) en route to three-quarters in 1:24.2. The two battled down the stretch with Lilsharkshooter coming back on, but it was Trust The Artist who prevailed by neck in 1:54.
Lilsharkshooter was the runner-up with Tajma Hall finishing a half-length back in third.
Hoerdt owns the four-year-old son of Real Artist with Blair Corbeil and Mike McAllister of Beaumont, Alta. Trust The Artist scored his19th career win lifting his bankroll to $317,290.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.