Seizing command from post 7, Dragon Energy drew clear of his rivals to post an open-length victory in the second of two $18,900 divisions of the Alberta Rising Star on Tuesday (Aug. 11) at Century Downs.
Driver David Kelly launched Dragon Energy to the top, leading stablemate Tidal Shark by two lengths to a :29.3 first quarter. From there, the two-year-old Custard The Dragon gelding faced no challenge. He posted middle fractions of :59.3 and 1:28.3 before kicking six-and-a-quarter lengths clear to a 1:57.2 win over Had A Hard Handle, who swept past Tidal Shark for second.
Owned by Kurt Schmidt, Kathy Schmidt and Robert James, Dragon Energy remains unbeaten from two starts, earning $11,950. Nate Sobey trains the $2.20 winner.
Shark Week vaulted off a stalking trip to a 22-1 upset in the opening division of the Alberta Rising Star.
Crazy I M led narrowly to a :29.2 first quarter before yielding the lead to Codename Cigar Box, who opened two lengths on the pocketsitter to a :59.4 half. Shark Week raced in third and remained in that position past three-quarters in 1:29 until Codename Cigar Box galloped on the turn into the stretch. Crazy I M inherited the lead while driver Michael Hennessy sent Shark Week after the late leader, charging to the front in the final strides to win by a nose in 1:58.4. Pacin Perfect closed for third.
Returning $47.90 to win, Shark Week competes for owners Lorne Duffield and Rodney Hennessy, the latter of whom trains the Vertical Horizon colt winning on debut.
Graceful Horizon rode from the pocket and popped to the lead late to win the faster of two $19,300 divisions of the Alberta Starlet.
With early breaks from Drive Away and Burn The Evidence, 2-5 favourite Custard Smoothie opened seven lengths on Whirl A Wick to a :28 first quarter and slowed the tempo towards a :59.4 half. Meanwhile Graceful Horizon, sitting fourth, slid around horses and landed in the pocket moving towards the backstretch.
Custard Smoothie continued to lead the field by three-quarters in 1:28.1 and through most of the stretch, but grew leg weary towards the tail of the mile. Graceful Horizon loomed closer to the pacesetter nearing the finish and lunged by in the final strides to win by a half length in 1:57. Bearcat Matilda finished third, 25 lengths behind the top two.
Co-owned by trainer Chris Lancaster with Derek Gilbert, Graceful Horizon won on debut, collecting a $9,650 cheque. David Kelly steered the Vertical Horizon filly who paid $8.20 to win.
Trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt steered his pupil Sintaluta to a 1:59.1 victory in the other division of the Alberta Starlet.
Stablemate Overactive sprinted to the lead with Outtheresomewhere landing in second to a :28.1 first quarter and Sintaluta racing third. Overactive maintained control to a 1:00 half but faced pressure as Hoerdt tipped Sintaluta first over moving to three-quarters in 1:29.2. Sintaluta stuck close to the leader but did not edge pass until midstretch, extending to a one-and-a-half length win over Overactive. Outtheresomewhere finished third.
Co-owned by Hoerdt with Ralph Morrow and Julie Lambert, Sintaluta won her debut, earning $9,650. The Blue Burner filly paid $3.20 to win.
Trainer Chris Lancaster collected three wins on the 12-race card, among them his win with Graceful Horizon. He also sent Canadian Pharoh ($4.30) and Lady Neigh Neigh ($4.50) to victory.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Century Downs.