A four-horse photo could not separate two horses on the finish, resulting in a dead-heat between Sabine Pass and Ima Dude to open the Monday, July 1 card at Century Downs in the $9,000 Open Pace.
Iwontdothatagain cleared control heading to a :28 opening quarter while Ima Dude ducked into the pocket. Race-favourite Icy Blue Scooter tipped from the pylons and brushed first over into a :57.2 half to take control with Sabine Pass on his back. Icy Blue Scooter held a narrow lead as Sabine Pass pressed him a half length away heading to three-quarters in 1:25.1 and maintained control turning into the stretch.
Sabine Pass stalled through the lane as Cool Cowboy tipped off cover and Ima Dude slid through an opening at the pylons. Icy Blue Scooter gave way nearing the finish while Sabine Pass and Ima Dude surged past alongside to hit the wire together. Cool Cowboy took fourth.
Trained and driven by Paul Davies for owner Audrey Leighland, Sabine Pass won his second race from 16 starts this season and his 21st from 139 overall, earning $211,981. He paid $11.50 to win in the dead-heat with Ima Dude, who collected his second victory from 10 starts this season and his 12th from 63 overall while pushing his earnings to $217,996. Brandon Campbell steered the Sanford Campbell trainee and paid $4.20.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Monday Results - Century Downs.