Despite being subjected to a first-over trip in Sunday’s $25,000 Prairie Boys Final at Century Downs, Counter Strike powered to a four-length triumph for white hot trainer/driver Travis Cullen.
The award-winning horseman celebrated a five-win performance – for both training and driving – over the course of the 12-race program.
Counter Strike, who was shooting for eight-in-a-row, got away fourth for Cullen while Big Magick rushed to the lead and carved out first-half fractions of :28.3 and :58.2. Cullen has his charge on the move going to the half, and by the time the field reached the three-quarter pole it was Counter Strike who was muscling his way to the front. The three-quarter call popped up in 1:26, and Cullen used a :29-second closing quarter to win in 1:55 with Counter Strike. Big Magick was second best, with the show dough going to Man Of Many Arts.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite, Counter Strike improved this year’s record to 8-1-0 from nine tries for Cullen and partner Jerry Hagenaars of Hafford, SK. The four-year-old son of Camystic-Cai Hanover, who is now 12-for-44 in his career, lifted his lifetime earnings to $53,824 with the win.
Cullen kicked off the card by guiding Outlaw Gunpowder to a 1:52.2 triumph in the $10,500 Open Pace. The five-year-old son of Smart Shark-Fox Valley Cherish stepped to a four-length triumph over Audreys Dream, with Get Thereovernight taking home third prize.
His other winners on the matinee program were False Advertising (1:55.1), Rain Gauge (1:55.2) and Caliscape (1:58.1).
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Century Downs.