Recent newcomer Audreys Dream earned his first Alberta victory for the Hensley stable with a wire-to-wire effort in the afternoon's featured $10,500 Open Pace on Sunday, May 1 at Century Downs.
With driver Jim Marino subbing in for an injured Ed Hensley, Audreys Dream took the lead from post four and cruised through fractions of :27.4, :56.1 and 1:24.2 before heavy 1-5 favourite Outlaw Gunpowder (Travis Cullen) tipped out from third. However, Audreys Dream stood his ground through a :28.2 final quarter for the mild 7-1 upset in 1:52.4. Outlaw Gunpowder finished one length behind, just edging out pocket-pursuer Get Thereovernight (Bill Tainsh Jr.) in a photo for the runner-up honours.
In defeating his five foes, Audreys Dream returned $17.50 to his backers at the betting windows. His speedy score was just one-fifth of a second off the track record for aged pacing geldings, which is held by Who Doesnt, who finished fourth today.
Ashleigh Hensley trains the eight-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding, who has hit the board in all four of his starts this year racing in Alberta for the Hensleys. The sub-1:50 pacer earned his 25th career win and now boasts a bankroll of $368,548.
Despite settling for second-place honours in the afternoon's feature, the meet-leading Travis Cullen stable continued its winning momentum as a new month began earning three victories on the 11-race program.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Century Downs.