Keith Clark proved to have great aim on Saturday at Grande Prairie when he prevailed in three of the five $17,267 ABSS Alberta Marksman divisions for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings. Clark went on to win a total of six races on the regular 11-race program and one on the special non-wagering card contested earlier in the afternoon
In the first Marksman split, Outlaw Mister Cool survived a first-over journey to win by a length in 1:57.4. Double L Jammer (Brandon Campbell) was second and pacesetter Jackies Back (Jamie Gray) rounded out the top three.
Clark owns the As Promised-Must Be Cool gelding with Robert Jones of Slave Lake, Atla. For Outlaw Mister Cool, the win was his third in 10 starts this season and fourth of his career pushing his bankroll to $43,213.
Clark moved his second Marskman winner, Westwood Franco first-up from third before three-quarters and the gelded son of As Promised-Lotana Franco collared the pacesetter Bandit On The Run (Brandon Campbell) and pulled away by two lengths in the stretch. Westwood Franco managed to hold off Rossridge Express (John Chappell) by half a length for the 1:58.1 victory. Commence Countdown (Brent Grundy) was third.
In his debut season, Westwood Franco has recorded six wins and five seconds in 15 starts earning $37,623. Jones also owns this bay with Ceejay Stable of De Winton, Alta.
In the next split, Wrangler Hitech equalled Sixdaysontheroad’s 1:55.2 track record for sophomore pacing colts and geldings. The As Promised-Raines Lucey gelding left sharply from the outside Post 6 and poked his head in front of Wrangler Payday (Bill Tainsh, Jr.) at the :28.3 opening pole. Wrangler Hitech settled on the front shortly after and put up the remaining panels of :57.3 and 1:27.3 before reaching the wire first by a nose over the pocket-sitter. Longshot Everybody Dance (Kelly Hoerdt) finished back in third.
Clark and Jones share ownership with Peter Giannakopoulos of Edmonton, Alta. The win was Wrangler Hitech's 10th of the season in 14 starts and 11th lifetime bumping his earnings to $97,748.
Luv You Too Bye and driver Mike Hennessy front-stepped his way to victory in 2:00.3 by neck over Rotten Randy (Keith Clark) in his Marksman division. Naknak Whodare (Jeff Stone) finished third off a two-hole trip.
Trained by Rod Hennessy and owned by the S S G Stables of North Boston, New York, the As Promised-Ill See Ya Tonight gelding won for the second time in 16 seasonal starts and pushed his career earnings to $21,167.
In the final Marksman division, Swiftys First Star turned back a challenge from Scotty Pooh (Warren Grant) at the half and paced away by two and three-quarter lengths to win in 1:57. Carro Snoop (Ron Graham) was second-best and Oblivious Boy (Keith Clark) finished third.
Swiftys First Star notched his fourth win in six tries this season for trainer Robert Sabourin, Jr. The homebred son of As Promised-Swiftys Girl has recorded six wins to date with earnings totaling $69,211 for owners Kurt and Kathy Schmidt of Leduc, Alta.
Red Star Kash (1:56.4), Weeping Willow (2:03.3) and Peace Of Work (1:58.3) were Clark’s other winners this afternoon along with Tex Messenger (2:02.1), who prevailed during the special program.
In other action, track record holder Weekend Bernie proved to be the fastest once again when he out-paced his four rivals to win the Open in 1:55.1. With Rod Hennessy in the bike, the seven-year-old son of As Promised-Shes A Gogetter reached up for the lead at the :28.3 opening quarter ahead of his stablemate Barona Ferrari (Mike Hennessy), and then rolled past panels of :57 and 1:26.1 en route to a two-length score.
Neal Diamonique (Keith Clark) rallied off second-over cover to finish second over Barona Ferrari.
Rod Hennessy also owns Weekend Bernie with Lorne Duffield of Edmonton, Alta. while Mike Hennessy handles the training duties. The bay, who posted his 37th victory and increased his bankroll to $558,677, has won half of his 10 starts this year.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click here.