Exit Smiling gave his connections something to smile about as they left Century Downs on Sunday afternoon (June 10) following a victory in the Alberta Sires Stakes.
Trained and driven by Jamie Gray, three-year-old pacing gelding Exit Smiling swept his elimination and final of the Alberta Plainsman to extend his win streak to four and put an end to Custards Laststand's own four-race win streak.
After getting away fourth in the $45,700 featured finale, Exit Smiling flushed out favourite Custards Laststand and Kelly Hoerdt on the way past the half-mile mark and swung out three-wide as that foe put away longshot leader Its A Great White (:29, :58.2, 1:28) heading into the stretch. Exit Smiling then took over command down the lane and prevailed by one length in 1:58.1 over the 'good' track. Custards Laststand held on for second-place in a photo finish with Mortgage My Villa and Nathan Sobey.
Exit Smiling boasts a near-perfect record in his debut season and has yet to finish off the board for earnings of $32,400 from five starts.
Gray also co-owns the Vertical Horizon-Lucky X Ample gelding with Fred Gillis, Geoff Smith and Natasha Peiskar.
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Century, click the following link: Sunday Results – Century Downs.