Comes Home First lived up to his name, kicking home off a pocket trip to win the $45,000 final of the Brad Gunn Stake for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday afternoon at Alberta Downs.
Driven by Jim Marino, the Brandons Cowboy-Cinderella Cam colt provided owner Rick Mowles of the J J J Stables with his first stakes win since his B.C. outfit was destroyed in a devastating barn fire on June 1.
Favourite Sotally Tober (Jamie Gray) led the field through fractions of :28, :58.4 and 1:26.4 before Comes Home First squeezed through along the rail and collared him in deep stretch for the three-quarter length victory in 1:55 flat over the "good" track. Comes Home First returned $8.10 to win the final as the 3-1 second choice. Sonic Spark (Philip Giesbrecht) edged out Blue Eyed Cowboy (Bill Tainsh Jr.) for third, one and a half lengths behind.
Trained by Lance Ward, Comes Home First has won three of his eight starts this year, with his latest victory nearly doubling his bankroll, which now totals $45,841.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results – Alberta Downs.