While their odds and racing strategy were quite the opposite, the end result was the same as three-year-old male pacers Prairie Mystic ($32.70) and Blue Star Jet ($3) posted matching 1:55.4 winning miles in their respective Alberta Maverick eliminations on Sunday, Sept. 25 at Century Downs.
Sent postward at odds of 15-1, Prairie Mystic came from off the pace to win his $7,500 elimination by five lengths in a career-best 1:55.4. Brad Watt trains and drives the Mystery Chase-Twin B Magical colt and also shares ownership with his father Bob Watt.
Prairie Mystic swept three-wide at the top of the stretch off cover and glided by the tiring favourites for his upset victory. Blue Star Maverick, Flamingbluestar and Wrangler Cash finished second through fourth after trading turns on the lead through fractions of :27.1, :56.1 and 1:24.1.
Multiple stakes winner Blue Star Jet rebounded from his fourth-place finish in the last Alberta Sires Stakes final with a 1:55.4 wire-to-wire performance in the Maverick eliminations. Mike Hennessy drove the Blue Burner-Movin Uptown gelding for his father, trainer and co-owner Rod Hennessy, and Lorne Duffield.
Taking the lead from post two, the 1-2 favourite clocked fractions of :29, :58.3 and 1:26.1 without facing any serious challengers until the stretch. Outlaw Turn N Burn closed late to finish second, finishing one length behind the winner, while Make It Big followed in the pocket for third. Classy Artist finished fourth.
The third Alberta Sires Stakes final for the colts and geldings will be contested on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Century Downs.
The weekly $10,000 Open Handicap was won by the streaking 1-9 favourite Sterling Cooper and trainer/driver Brandon Campbell in front-end fashion. The eight-year-old Camluck gelding crossed to command from his outside assigned post and led the field of five through panels of :27.4, :57.3 and 1:25.2 en route to a two and a half length victory in 1:53.3 for owner Jeffrey Elchuk of Surrey, B.C. The win was his fifth in a row and 10th on the year from 20 starts. Cool Cowboy followed in the pocket to finish second while a from-last Get Thereovernight gained ground in the final quarter to make the top three.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Century Downs.