Shark Week found himself in somewhat unfamiliar territory on Saturday, April 5 at Century Downs.
The seven-year-old standout faced the starting gate for the second straight week on Saturday, and that's been fairly rare for Shark Week as of late. The last time he raced twice in eight days came at the end of August 2024.
For reference, those starts came on Aug. 24 and Aug. 31. His Aug. 24 start was his first start in nearly a month, and while he was victorious in 1:53.1 (over a track rated good) the win margin was just three parts of a length. The next week, over a fast track, Shark Week was vicious, uncorking a season's best 1:50.4 score where the margin of victory was seven lengths.
Fast forward to April 5, 2025, and Shark Week was one of the five horses entered in the $16,000 Preferred Handicap at Century Downs. Shark Week was sent off as the 2-5 choice after coming from off the pace over a muddy surface one week ago to win by a half length in 1:57.1.
Once again, a sharper Shark Week showed up and showed off. A field of five was scratched down to a quartet, but the mile was all Shark Week from pillar to post. Driver Mike Hennessy pointed Shark Week to the top from the four hole and played catch me if you can with his three rivals. There was no catching the son of Vertical Horizon - Shark Gone Bad on this occasion: his :26.3 opening quarter was followed by a :56.2 half and 1:25 third quarter where he repelled the challenge of Mercedes (Brandon Campbell). In thge stretch, pocket-sitting Samba Beat (Phil Giesbrecht) angled for a possible late bid but that threat was quickly extinguished as Shark Week sprinted home in :28 for the 1:53 decision. Samba Beat stayed for second, 1-3/4 lengths back with General Custard (Dave Kelly) rounding out the top trio.
Rod Hennessy of Strathmore, Alta. trains and co-owns Shark Week along with Lorne Duffield of Edmonton, Alta. The win for Alberta's 2024 Older Pacer of the Year was his 53rd lifetime and lifted his bankroll just shy of the $450,000 mark. He returned $2.90 to those who backed him to win.
For the results from Saturday's card of harness racing just outside of Calgary, click the following link: Saturday Results - Century Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)