Retros Mystery's attempt at seven straight victories fell short as Ima Dude blew the competition away with an 11-and-a-quarter-length victory in 1:53 at Century Downs on Sunday, April 28.
The five-year-old Lil Dude Starrbuck gelding sat fourth as Retros Mystery cleared even-money favourite Southwind Jaden to a :26.2 first quarter. But Brandon Campbell soon edged off the rail with Ima Dude moving to a :56.1 half and circled to the lead heading to the backstretch.
Ima Dude opened a two-length lead passing a 1:24.3 third quarter as Southwind Jaden circumvented Retros Mystery faltering through the field. His lead only expanded moving into the stretch, fronting the field by eight lengths turning for the wire while Chalk Player beat Southwind Jaden in a photo for second.
Owned by Jodi Loftus, Timothy Kane and George Rogers, Ima Dude won his 11th race from 57 starts, earning $212,756. Sanford Campbell trains the $9.20 winner, who gave him one of three victories on the card. His two other wins came with Little Bit Faster ($8.50), who won a $5,000 claiming pace from off the pace in 1:59.1, and in the nightcap with Amysterytome ($5.00), who took a $10,000 conditioned claiming pace from second over in 1:55.1.
Trainer Rod Starkewski also scored a triple on the card. He sent the top two finishers in the opener, with Sureburnsblue ($11.80) grinding first over to win a $4,100 conditioned pace in 1:59.3. Outlaw Gunsablazin ($3.50) completed Starkewski's sweep of the early double with a 1:58.1 victory in a $5,400 conditioned pace. Crackle N Burn ($3.50) then gave Starkewski his third win on the card, powering first over to a six-and-a-half length 1:55 victory in a $6,200 conditioned pace.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Century Downs.