Trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt directed three-year-old Custard The Dragon gelding Kneedeep N Custard uncovered to wear down the quick pacesetters and lower the Century Downs track record for his division in the $50,000 Brad Gunn Breeders’ Final on Sunday, June 16.
Away third, Kneedeep N Custard stalked as Night Stick, from post 8, rushed to command with Crackle N Burn snagging the pocket approaching a :26.3 first quarter. Crackle N Burn soon angled from the pylons, with Kneedeep N Custard in tow second over, and brushed to control past a :54.3 half.
Kneedeep N Custard continued to gain when racing first over into a 1:23 third quarter and eventually edged past Crackle N Burn to lead by a half length in the stretch. Major Winker, sitting off the speed battle from fourth, rallied through the stretch late to take second by three-quarter lengths while 1-2 favourite Outlawgrabbingears, grabbing cover from the winner, finished third. Kneedeep N Custard stopped the clock in 1:52.1, lowering the previous mark by a fifth of a second.
Co-owned by Hoerdt with Blair Corbeil and Fred Gilbert, Kneedeep N Custard won his seventh race from 10 starts, earning $51,840. He paid $11.90 to win.
A $9,000 Open Pace followed the afternoon feature and saw 13-1 Southwind Jaden stroll to a 1:54.1 victory. The six-year-old Bettors Delight gelding sat third to a :28.2 opening quarter set by pylon-starter Iwontdothatagain. Driver Phil Giesbrecht then tipped the Sanford Campbell trainee and circled to control heading to a :57.2 half. From there he withstood first-over pressure from Ima Dude past three-quarters in 1:25.2 and held off a late charge from favourite Icy Blue Scooter, who finished second. Pocket-sitter Iwontdothatagain took third.
Owned by Peter Chanak and Dana Shore, Southwind Jaden won his fifth race from 12 starts this season and his 24th from 103 overall, earning $141,808. He paid $29.20 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Century Downs.