As Century Downs kicked off its 10th anniversary season on Saturday, March 29, it only seems fitting that the fastest horse in the track's history not only made an appearance but prevailed in the featured dash.
Century Downs carded seven races on its opening day for 2025, with the track ranging from snow-covered to muddy over the course of the afternoon. Snow was no impediment for the local horsepeople, who honoured the memory of Hunter Myers with a moment of silence in the winner's circle before the races commenced.
The main event on Saturday came in the third race, with five solid older competitors lining up in the $16,000 Preferred Pace. The 1-4 favourite in the field, not surprisingly, was Shark Week from post four. And not surprisingly, he was forwardly placed by driver Mike Hennessy when the wings of the folded. However, some might have been surprised when he wasn't on top of the field at the midway mark of the mile.
After crossing over to make the top and front the field through a :27.4 opening quarter, Shark Week's position presented Brandon Campbell and post five starter Mercedes — the last horse to defeat Shark Week in the province's last Preferred Pace at Century Mile in mid-February — with a decision. Instead of taking back, Campbell pressed on and landed on top at the three-eighths mark. Backing down the tempo, Mercedes hit the half in :58.4 with Shark Week in behind in second.
David Kelly asked General Custard to attack the leader down the backside from fourth, pressuring Mercedes as the third station was reached in 1:28.1. Shark Week and Hennessy had clearance to angle out into the three-wide path around the far turn, and found his best stride once straightening out in the stretch. His :28.4 final quarter sealed the deal, besting General Custard by a half length in 1:57.1. Blast Of Sunshine closed well for driver Jamie Gray to complete the top trio.
Shark Week (Vertical Horizon - Shark Gone Bad) picked up his third win in four seasonal starts and 52nd lifetime tally. Owned by trainer Rod Hennessy of Strathmore, Alta. along with Lorne Duffield of Edmonton, Alta., seven-year-old Shark Week lifted his career earnings to $451,350. As the 1-4 public choice, he returned $2.50 to win.
"It was nice to get an easy trip into him his first start back," driver Mike Hennessy told Trot Insider after the card. "It's been three years since he waited until past the three-quarter pole to make a move. He was swimming a bit in the mud, but he knows how to get it done."
The 2025 Standardbred racing season at Century Downs runs from March 29 to Aug. 30, with first posts on Saturdays at 12:45 p.m. (MDT) and Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. (MDT). Wednesday's card will make history as Century Downs hosts its inaugural night racing for Standardbreds on Wednesday, April 2.
For the results from Saturday's card of harness racing outside of Calgary, click the following link: Saturday Results - Century Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)