The two-year-old pacing colts and geldings had their turn in the stakes spotlight at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino on Sunday, competing in three $16,667 divisions of the Horizon Pace.
Outlaw Turn N Burn won the opening division as he collared pacesetter Prairie Mystic (Keith Clark) at the wire in 1:59.3.
Trainer/driver Connie Kolthammer had her homebred Blue Burner colt placed third throughout the early stages of the mile before tipping out behind the cover of Canelo (Travis Cullen) off the final turn and then sprinting home in :28.3 for the maiden-breaking win by a head over Prairie Mystic. Favourite Archie Bunker (Don Howlett) finished nearly two lengths behind in his provincial debut.
Duke It Out was left first over when Trustee (Jim Marino) dropped into the pocket and he went on to win the second and fastest division in 1:58.1 for the father and son, trainer and driver duo of Doug and Preston Shaw. The Trueland Hanover gelding pulled three and three-quarter lengths clear of the popular front-stepper Blue Star Jet (Rod Hennessy) in the stretch while Trustee finished third.
The first-time winner, who established a two-year-old track record, is owned by Riverside Stables Ltd. of Water Valley, Alta. and Jason Schmiedge of Warman, Sask.
Wrangler Cash inherited his first victory in the final split following a judges' placing of first-place finisher Keep Coming (Bill Tainsh Jr.). Wrangler Cash finished just a nose behind Keep Coming off a pocket trip in a 1:58.4 mile, but he was made the official winner as Keep Coming was placed seventh for a pylon violation as he veered inside down the stretch. Hope To Pay (Keith Clark) and Cenalta Eclipse (Preston Shaw) were bumped up to second and third, respectively.
Trainer/driver Kelly Hoerdt shares ownership of Wrangler Cash with his partners Blair Corbeil of Beaumont, Alta. and breeder Dr. Maurice Stewart of Leduc, Alta.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Century Downs.