A trio of $16,667 Horizon Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings were featured on Monday at Alberta Downs, and the rookies put on quite a show
MJJZ R Us kicked things off with a 1:57.1 tally in come-from-behind fashion for trainer/driver Rod Starkewski. The son of Camcracker-Jemz R Us made a three-wide move at the three-quarter pole and then uncorked a :27.3 final frame en route to posting the 1:57.1 decision. It was 2-3/4 lengths back to runner-up Coolestdudeintown, with the show dough going to Outlawinferno.
Sent off at odds of 5-1, MJJZ R Us won for the first time in his career for Starkewski and partners Larry Thomas of Edmonton and Blair Thomas of Red Deer, AB. The homebred has stashed away earnings $8,896 in his first three starts.
Dealers Edge went to the front and didn’t look back in the second division en route to a 1:57.1 score for trainer/driver Keith Clark. The son of Cams Card Shark-Real Reflection led through panels of :28.2, :59 and 1:26.3 before stepping home in :30.3. Hollywood Hotel recovered from an early miscue to finish second behind the 1-2 favourite, with Fulla Promise grabbing the show dough.
Clark shares ownership on the two-time winner with the Boys Of The Hood Stable of Calgary and Robert Jones of Slave Lake, AB. The $25,000 purchase from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale lifted his lifetime earnings to $10,283 with the win.
Wrangler Betonme survived a first-over journey to take home the hardware in the third division for driver Bill Tainsh, Jr. The son of As Promised-Ja El Shamrock wore down Smooth Criminal, who laid down fractions of :28.2, 1:00.2 and 1:29, and drew clear to win by a pair of lengths in 1:56.3. Somethingsgoinon tagged along to finish second, while Smooth Criminal faded late and settled for third prize.
The homebred’s victory improved his record to 1-1-0 in two starts for owners Dr. Maurice and Maureen Stewart of Leduc along with Lyle and Sandy Reid of Sherwood Park, AB. The youngster has earned $9,454 to date.
The fastest mile of the program was the 1:52.2 score turned in by Flak Jacket in the $8,800 Open Pace. Trainer/driver Jamie Gray rallied the four-year-old son of Brandons Cowboy-Jackies Whacky to the neck decision over Trust The Artist. Hilldrop Shady closed well to round out the top three finishers.
The gelding, who was sent off at odds of 34-1, notched his first win of the season in 14 tries for Gray and partners Fred Gilbert, Neil Malloch and Richard Osterbeck. The nine-time winner bumped his bankroll to $158,985 with the career-best victory.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Alberta Downs.
Nice to see sons & daughters
Nice to see sons & daughters of,"Camcracker", enjpying sucess.(Two wins & a 2nd.) He was an outstanding Free-For-Aller on the WEG circuit, and looks to be a handy sire in western Canada.
As for,"Flak Jacket",........ he obviously looks to be a lot better fit in the west, than he was in the east.