Ryan Grundy's Gray Zee ($3.80) sustained an uncovered gain for nearly the entire middle half en route to a 1:53.3 win — his third straight — in Wednesday's (June 12) featured pace at Century Downs, a $7,200 optional claiming event.
The six-year-old I Zee gelding made his move out of fifth with just over a lap to go, angling out and working toward pacesetter Outlawstandndelivr (Paul Davies) through a :57.1 first half. Gray Zee, who was driven by his owner, worked to within a neck of the pocket-sitting Burntisland Billy (Nathan Sobey) upon reaching the backstretch, stalled briefly, and then ground into second with five-sixteenths to go before forcing Outlawstandndeliver to three-quarters in 1:25.
Gray Zee put his inside rival away on the final turn and was driven clear at the top of the stretch. As Gray Zee put 5-1/4 lengths of clearance on his rivals, Amysterytome (David Kelly) rallied down the grandstand side after escaping traffic to take second from Yankee Up (Jamie Gray), who was towed into the race behind the winner.
Gray Zee, a 24-time winner, was claimed out of the race by Rod Therres after winning all three of his starts for Grundy.
Rod Starkewski posted a training hat trick on the 10-race card, sending Mr Peterman ($4.90, 1:56.2), Dont Wannabe Late ($5.20, 1:57.4) and Outlawburntpopcorn ($11.40, 1:56.4) to the winner's enclosure.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Century Downs.