Cool Cowboy, the 2014 Alberta Sires Stakes two-year-old champion, resumed his winnings ways on Sunday afternoon at Century Downs, completing a sweep of the Alberta Marksman with a 1:56.3 triumph in the $54,200 final.
Trainer/driver Kelly Hoerdt sent 6-5 favourite Cool Cowboy right to the lead from post six, landing ahead of insiders Pablos First (Jim Marino) and Urcutoff (Brandons Campbell) during the :28.3 opening quarter.
Outlaw Deacon Jim (Paul Davies) was then flushed first-over from fourth approaching the half-mile mark in :57 and advanced up alongside the leader. He managed to gain the slight advantage on the outside, putting a neck in front down the backstretch. Meanwhile, the other elimination winner, Johnny Gun (Gerry Hudon), tracked his cover second over.
However, Cool Cowboy fought back and regained the lead as they raced by three-quarters in 1:26.3. He put away Outlaw Deacon Jim turning for home and opened up two lengths on top, although he had Johny Gun launching three-wide and Pablos First closing from the pocket. But Cool Cowboy persevered, holding off Pablos First by a neck to win in 1:56.3 while Urcutoff closed along the pylons for third-place, making it was a 2-3 finish for trainer Darryl Cutting. Big Time Sunrise (Travis Cullen) finished fourth over Outlaw Deacon Jim and Johnny Gun.
Cool Cowboy has now won half of his eight sophomore starts for 2015 earnings of $45,925. He now boasts a career record that includes seven wins, six second-place finishes and three thirds in 18 races for a bankroll of $120,469. The Meridian Farms-bred colt, sired by Brandons Cowboy out of the Grintfromeartoear mare Cool Grin, was a $19,000 yearling purchased from the 2013 ASHA Sale by Hoerdt and Alberta partners Blair Corbeil of Beaumont and Witsend Consulting Inc. of Calgary.
His half-sibling by Mystery Chase, Cold Case, was one of this year's ASHA Yearling Sale toppers on Friday afternoon, also purchased Hoerdt (for $35,000).
Alberta's leading horseman Travis Cullen celebrated a perfect Sunday afternoon at the track, with his stable going three-for-three on the 10-race card and extending his current win streak, which began during Saturday's final two races, to five in a row.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Century Downs.