Longshot players had a field day during Saturday’s card of racing at Century Downs, at least the one’s that focused on the main events on the matinee program.
The rich finals of the Alberta Marksman for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers and the Alberta Diamond for three-year-old filly pacers were the main events, and the lion’s share of the loot went to Classy Artist and Ba Bye Ceia Later in their respective events.
Classy Artist rallied for a 10-1 upset in the $55,400 Alberta Marksman for driver Gerry Hudon and trainer Rod Starkewski. The son of Trust The Artist-Ding Gua Gua got away fifth before coming first-over on the way to the half. Blue Star Jet put up first-half fractions of :28.4 and :59.1, but serious pressure was applied to the leader as the three-quarter pole clocking flashed up in 1:26.4. Classy Artist was bearing down on Blue Star Jet, and the first-over attacker took over the lead in the lane and used a :29.2 closing quarter to win by a length over Outlaw Turn N Burn in 1:56.3. Third prize was earned by Wrangler Cash.
Starkewski of Lamont, AB shares ownership on the colt with breeder Tony Chan of Sherwood Park, AB. Together they’ve watched the sophomore put together a 3-4-3 record from 23 trips to the track this season while banking close to $50,000 along the way. The five-time winner has stashed away $71,870 to date.
Ba Bye Ceia Later was a 7-1 upsetter in the $56,900 Alberta Diamond for three-year-old pacing fillies for Team Hennessy. The daughter JK Royal Flush-Palma Ceia got away seventh before catching cover for the middle stages of the mile. Outlawtriggerhappy laid down the fractions of :28.1, :59.1 and 1:27.2, but she couldn’t quite seal the deal. Ba Bye Ceia Later kicked off cover late and powered home in :29.4 to beat Outlawtriggerhappy by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.3. Cenalta Artistry closed from last to finish third.
Mike Hennessy mapped out the winning trip for the Rod Hennessy-trained homebred who races for Alberta partners Bryan Brook of Leduc and Diane Harries of Falun. With a 5-4-3 record assembled from 13 trips to the track this season, the six-time winner upped her lifetime earnings to $70,754 with the win.
To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Century Downs.