In the words of Bill Goldberg, "Who's next?"
On Sunday, April 20, Randy Orton, the Apex Predator of World Wrestling Entertainment, is holding an open challenge during the second night of WrestleMania 41.
Mike Hennessy, driver of Alberta harness racing's apex predator Shark Week, appeared to channel future WWE Hall of Famer The Rock during the stretch drive of the $16,000 Preferred Pace on Saturday, April 19 at Century Downs with a "bring it on" taunt before winning in 1:52.4.
Sent off as the 3/5 choice from the outermost post seven, Shark Week sprinted away from the gate and cleared familiar foe Samba Beat (Phil Giesbrecht) before a stunning :26.1 opening quarter. The horse that stepped up to face Shark Week's proverbial open challenge, first time Preferred starter and second choice Midnight Mover, started a first over grinding attack on the defending champion before the midway point, reached in :55.3.
Down the backside, Midnight Mover and driver Nathan Sobey started to make gains on Shark Week as the two favourites tussled to the 1:23.3 third station. With that bid thwarted, Shark Week sped around the far turn and opened up a two-length advantage. Hennessy turned back to Sobey and beckoned for a challenge down the stretch, but there was no retort from Midnight Mover as Shark Week laid the smackdown on the top class yet again, winning by 1-3/4 lengths. Midnight Mover raced valiantly to finish second with Mercedes (Brandon Campbell) rumbling home to complete the top trio.
In his 90th lifetime start, Shark Week (Vertical Horizon - Shark Gone Bad) picked up his 54th career victory for trainer and co-owner Rod Hennessy of Strathmore, Alta. and co-owner Lorne Duffield of Edmonton. The winner's share of the purse brings his bankroll to $457,350.
The leading trainer at Century Downs thus far this meet, David Kelly added to his lead in the standings with a three-bagger on Saturday. Kelly started the day on the right foot courtesy first race winner Custard Titan (1:58.3; $3.60), then went back-to-back in the fifth and sixth by virtue of winning efforts from upsetters Tin Can Timmy (1:53.2; $21.40) and Catfish Jack (1:55.4; $28.00). Those three wins give Team Kelly eight wins at Century Downs over the first four weeks of the meet, better than the four wins from trainers Mathew Howlett and Chris Lancaster.
For the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing outside Calgary, Alta., click the following link: Saturday Results - Century Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)