Canadian Future Star Award nominee Travis Cullen, who had a breakout season in 2013, has continued his success into 2014 and on Friday night won another four races, including one with the pacing mare that helped put him in the spotlight.
Cullen tipped favourite Feelin Flush ($2.60) three-wide off cover at the third quarter mark and the six-year-old As Promised mare rallied home to win the featured $9,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace for the third week in a row. She prevailed by three lengths in 1:57.3 over the frozen track with Doober Hoozzitz and Blue Star West rounding out the top three finishers.
"She's been just great," Cullen told Norm Borg in the latest edition of Trot Radio. "She kind of got my name out here in Alberta because I claimed her for $4,000 and won the Mares Open three weeks later with her."
The Manitoba native claimed Feelin Flush last January with Ken Hanson.
She ended her 2013 campaign with a seasonal record reading 12-10-4 in 35 starts and over $67,000 banked in purses to earn a pair of ASHA Award nominations. So far this year, Feelin Flush is three-for-four with close to $14,000 added to her bankroll.
Cullen also drove A Bettor Day ($4) to victory lane for trainer Robert Sabourin Jr. on Friday night in addition to his own trainees Sing Like An Angel ($3.10) and Artxzipit ($4.10).
The 21-year-old horseman, who sent out 120 winners from his stable in 2013 placing him third on the national leaderboard, already has 25 training tallies one month into the new year to lead all conditioners in Canada for wins.
Cullen is a finalist for the new O'Brien Award with Patrick Shepherd. The winner will be announced at the annual Black Tie Gala on Saturday, February 8.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Northlands Park.