Trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt hustled Codename Cigar Box from off the speed to land in front by the beam to take the $10,500 featured pace at Century Downs on Saturday (March 26).
Away fifth to a :28 first quarter, Codename Cigar Box sat while West Coast Beach continued on the point unchallenged to a :57.2 half. With the tempo still soft into the backstretch, HF Thegreatpumpkin pulled pocket and grabbed the lead from West Coast Beach past three-quarters in 1:26. Hoerdt tipped to race third over in that developing flow to the turn and fanned wide for the stretch drive, where he recouped five lengths to sweep to the lead and hit the finish two lengths better than Shark Week in a 1:55.3 mile. Canadian Pharoh finished third and Outlaw Gunsablazin took fourth.
Co-owned by Hoerdt with Fred Gilbert and Blair Corbeil, Codename Cigar Box won his second race from eight starts this season and his 10th from 33 overall for earnings of $185,343 lifetime. The four-year-old Custard The Dragon stallion paid $4.40 to win.
Momas Son Byrne struck an upset in the opener on the day when winning as the longest shot on the board in the co-featured $10,500 pace. The four-year-old Sunshine Beach stallion sat fourth through opening splits of :26.4 and :56.3 set by Past Affair, who broke stride up the backside as If Only Id Known cleared the top at three-quarters in 1:25.1. Momas Son Byrne floated into contention from second over rounding the final turn before driver Logan Gillis sent his charge off a helmet, and the Shelly Arsenault trainee reeled in rivals to hit the finish 1-1/2-lengths better than Mystic Dragon in second in a 1:55.3 mile. If Only Id Known settled for third and Tagoras took fourth.
Owned by Don M. Jr. Stables, Momas Son Byrne won his first race from nine starts this season and his sixth from 22 overall. He paid $35.10 to win, with the victory giving the pacer close to $40,000 in career purses.
Driver David Kelly had a productive afternoon on the 12-race card, visiting the winner’s circle on five occasions. He steered Munchie Chris ($4.30), Firenado ($4.90), Staytheblazeshome ($5.60), Tami Blue ($22.70) and Dubai Seelster ($10.40) all to victory on the day.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Century Downs.