Alberta's reigning Champion Aged Horse of the Year All Canadian Mjjz won the first Open Pace of the new meet at Alberta Downs on Saturday
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The Lacombe track was slated to begin its 2012 season last weekend, but inclement weather delayed the opener.
In the featured $8,500 Open Handicap, 7-2 third choice All Canadian Mjjz and trainer-driver Rod Starkewski fired to command from the outside post seven and carved out fractions of :29.3, 1:00, and 1:29.3 en route to a three-quarter length victory in 1:59.4 over the 'good' surface. The son of Allamerican Native held off the late rush from early trailer Lil Dude Starrbuck and Jeff Stone while third place finisher Wannabe Cowboy and Ryan Grundy came in three lengths behind.
All Canadian Mjjz won his first two races of his season against Open competition at Northlands Park and hasn't missed a paycheque since. He is now three-for-seven on the year with over $17,000 banked for co-owners Starkewski and Larry Thomas of Edmonton.
Lifetime, the five-year-old gelding has put together a record reading 17-10-16 in 69 starts while earning $122,586 in purses.
Live racing resumes on Sunday at the one-mile oval with another nine-race card. First race post time is 1:45 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Alberta Downs.