Horse put fourth the most force to win the first of three $7,500 eliminations for the Maverick Stakes at Century Downs on Saturday (Sept. 19).
Trainer-driver Ryan Grundy sent Horse to the lead by a :27.4 opening quarter and held a firm lead through middle fractions of :56.4 and 1:25.3. Horse turned into the stretch and went fast, extending to a four-length victory as the odds-on choice over Lovemyrockinbird with Dontpokethedragon third in a 1:54.2 mile.
A Vertical Horizon homebred for Trevor Williams, Horse won his second race from 10 starts this season and his fifth from 17 overall, earning $30,350. Horse paid $3.30 to win.
Criminal Record also scored in wire-to-wire fashion, winning the second Maverick elimination drawing away in 1:55.
In control to a :28.2 first quarter, Criminal Record faced little challenge through the mile. Trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt cruised the Mystery Chase colt through fractions of :57.3 and 1:25.4 before edging away from pocket-sitter Kingofthewest and strolling to a four-and-a-half length win. Kingofthewest held second with Westcoast Dragon finishing third.
Co-owned by Hoerdt with Ralph Morrow and Jacques Lambert, Criminal Record won his third race from 11 starts this season and his sixth from 21 overall, earning $83,368. He paid $2.60 to win.
Major Custard cruised in the final Maverick elim, delivering as the 1-5 favourite with a 1:55.2 mile.
Driver Brandon Campbell protected position with Major Custard from the pylon post, seating Chazmichaelmichael to a :28.4 first quarter. Campbell then decelerated to a :59.1 half but increased the speed to three-quarters as Trip Hammer rushed first over from fourth. Major Custard hit three-quarters in 1:27.1 and maintained command through the stretch chased by Chazmichaelmichael taking second, with Pipewrench Charlie snagging third.
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A Custard The Dragon gelding competing for owners J J J Stables and Jim Marino, Major Custard remains unbeaten this year from eight starts while collecting his 13th victory from 15 starts, earning $181,115. Michael Campbell trains the $2.20 winner.
Miss Itunes emerged the swiftest of the two winners for the $7,500 Marquis Stakes eliminations. The Mystery Chase filly led from coast to coast through fractions of :29.2, :58.2 and 1:26.2 to stop the timer in 1:55.1, finishing three-and-three-quarter lengths better than L A Woman closing from third over for second. Blue Star Raquel rallied from second over for third.
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Trainer David Lamont co-owns the $2.60 winner with Donna Wyse while Kelly Hoerdt sat in the sulky for Miss Itunes’ fourth win from 11 starts this season and her seventh from 18 overall—good for $88,112 in earnings.
Rockinwithcustard soared from the backfield to hit the finish first in the other Marquis elimination, winning in 1:56.2.
Driver Brandon Campbell had the Custard The Dragon filly positioned fifth while Oriental Express cleared command by a :28 first quarter. Race-favourite Blue Star Dreaming soon moved wide and brushed to the lead past a :58 half, but Oriental Express vacated pocket up the backstretch as Treasure Horizon swept three wide to challenge for the lead approaching three-quarters in 1:26.3.
Campbell tracked the Treasure Horizon’s three wide move nearing the final turn, fanning to the grandstand side as the field straightened for the finish. The Michael Campbell trainee gunned from there to the finish, sliding to a three-quarter length victory over Bearcat Abigail with Treasure Horizon taking third.
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Owned by Wild Dunes Stables, J J J Stables and Jim Marino, Rockinwithcustard won her fifth race from 15 starts, earning $36,044. She paid $6.60 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Century Downs.