Once circled to the lead, Canadian Pharoh kept command to the finish of a 1:53.2 mile in the $9,000 featured pace on Saturday (Dec. 5) at Century Mile.
Away second to a :26.1 opening quarter, Canadian Pharoh angled outside to brush past Outlaw Gunsablazin and take control of the pace moving to a :55.1 half. Phanatical Maniac tipped first over from third moving for the final turn and made slight gains despite the tempo slowing to three-quarters in 1:25. The outer tier backtracked off the turn, leaving a seam for a Hoerdt-trained charge to dash after the leader late. Canadian Pharoh kept a half length in front to the finish over Night Stick, with Kneedeep N Custard another quarter length behind in third.
Co-owned by trainer Chris Lancaster along with Christopher Lambie, Canadian Pharoh won his fifth race from 17 starts this season and his 20th from 78 overall, earning $258,130. Dave Kelly drove the five-year-old Mach Three gelding who paid $12.10 to win.
Kelly collected five more wins on the Saturday card, four of which came from his own barn. His pupils Come From Away ($3.50), See You Tonight ($13.40), Chasing Shadows ($4.80) and Past Affair ($5.50) all visited the winner’s circle, while Kelly also drove Destiny Hanover ($21.50) to victory.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Century Mile.