With a brush towards the lead heading to three-quarters, Bearcat Josi dug into pacesetter Born A Dragon and eventually forged to the front to post a 1:58 victory in the $45,700 Alberta Sires Stakes final for three-year-old filly pacers on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Century Downs.
Away third past the :28.1 first quarter, Bearcat Josi stalked as Born A Dragon yielded command to Cusdmagicdragon before quickly circling back to the top prior to a :57.3 half. Driver Jamie Gray angled the Blue Burner filly off the rail approaching the three-quarter pole and ranged to within two lengths of the top through a 1:26.2 third quarter.
Born A Dragon remained on the point as Bearcat Josi stalled wide of her around the final turn. Once into the straightaway the Doug Stout trainee surged to the front and opened a length-and-a-quarter margin on Born A Dragon left to finish second at the wire.
Maid In Alberta, kicking three wide around the final turn, snagged third three lengths back.
Bearcat Josi won her third race from 18 starts this season and her seventh from 26 overall, earning $146,136. She competes for owner Derek Stout and paid $11.90 to win.
Trainer-driver Doug Chappell launched Jedi Tricks to the center of the track nearing the final turn and swiftly took control in progress to a blowout victory in the first of two $24,900 Alberta Sires Stakes opening-preliminary divisions for two-year-old filly pacers.
Jedi Tricks sat fifth to the quarter as Emily H led pocket-sitter Cayley Skye and Lollipop Yacht parked from third to the :28.4 station. Still about six lengths from the front through a :59.2 half, Chappell edged the 8-5 favourite off the rail and drew within two lengths of command passing three-quarters in 1:30.3.
The filly by Wink N Atcha soon owned a five-length advantage turning towards the wire and expanded that margin to 11-and-a-half lengths in a 2:02.1 mile. Cayley Skye overtook pacesetter Emily H for second.
Owned by Doug and Kayla Chappell and Robert Wyse, Jedi Tricks won her second race from eight starts, earning $25,118. She paid $5.20 to win.
Rockin Mystery wired the second frosh filly split with a 1:59.2 effort as the 1-5 favourite.
Driver Brandon Campbell secured control from the rail while Mrbssweetpea tucked into the pocket ahead of Gin Twist floating into third. Past the first quarter in :29.2, Rockin Mystery faced no pressure up front as he slowed the tempo with a 1:00.2 half and promptly opened a six-length lead to three-quarters as he accelerated toward that interval in 1:28.4.
In front by seven lengths over Gin Twist taking second into the stretch, the filly by Mystery Chase strolled to the line to finish in hand over Gin Twist while Maxsamian, from seventh, finished third 13 lengths behind the top two.
Winning her third race in eight starts, Rockin Mystery competes for owners Rod Therres and Blair Miller and has earned $27,890. The Chris Lancaster trainee returned $2.40 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Century Downs.