After a pair of rare defeats in his last two outings, Shark Week returned to the winner's circle in the $16,000 Preferred Pace on Monday, June 30 at Century Downs.
Leaving from post four in the field of five with driver Mike Hennessy, Shark Week got away fourth in the field of five as the even-money favourite while Tin Can Timmy (Phil Giesbrecht) cut the quarter in :27. Tin Can Timmy raced unchallenged to the half in :55.1 before an anxious Midnight Mover (Brandon Campbell) popped the pocket on the backstretch. Midnight Mover powered clear to the top before reaching three-quarters while Shark Week moved into second on the outside, opting to braven up in the pocket as the lead duo blitzed to three-quarters in 1:22.3.
Shark Week closed to the Campbell helmet around the final turn before ripping out of the pocket at the top of the stretch. Midnight Mover raced gamely on the lead, with Shark Week continuing to inch in to his outside before a final lunge led to Shark Week getting to the wire first by a head in 1:51. Matts A Mystician (Paul Davies) finished third, 6-1/4 lengths behind the top two.
Trained by Rod Hennessy, Shark Week has now won seven of 10 in his seven-year-old campaign. The gelded son of Vertical Horizon-Shark Gone Bad has won 56 of 94 lifetime, banking $479,270 for owners Rod Hennessy and Lorne Duffield.
The Preferred Pace served as the Monday feature at the track to go along with a wide array of family fun activities and fireworks at the conclusion of live racing as part of the Canada Day celebrations at Century Downs.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Century Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)