Shouldabeensam watched the front-end action from the backfield before exploding with late pace to pull off a 46-1 upset in the $100,000 Western Pace for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings Saturday at Northlands Park
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There was never a dull moment in Saturday’s eight-horse final as the front-end proved to be the hot spot. First, Camblazer (Kelly Hoerdt) sprinted off the gate to grab the early lead but was overtaken by Red Riverboat (Gerry Hudon) at the opening quarter in :28.1.
Elimination winner Blended Whiskey (Bill Tainsh, Jr.), who was parked to the first quarter, then took over en route to the half in :57. Next in line was Wrangler Hitech (Keith Clark), who made a brief appearance on the front before the other elim winner, Swiftys First Star (Jeff Stone), poked a head in front after passing the third station in 1:25.4.
Swiftys First Star forged ahead by three and a half lengths in the stretch and looked as if he had secured the victory but Shouldabeensam, sitting seventh for most of the mile, made his move late. With J.F. Gagne in the bike for trainer and part-owner Keith Clark, Shouldabeensam used a :29.4 final frame to power past the field on the grandstand side. The son of Riverboat King-Whipped Creme prevailed in 1:56.3 by three-quarters of length.
To watch the race, click here.
Swiftys First Star stayed for second with Blended Whiskey finishing third but placed seventh for causing interference. Clarks’ Outlaw Mister Cool (Don Monkman, Jr.) was bumped up from fourth to third.
Robert and Shawn Smith of Innisfail, Alta. also share ownership of Shouldabeensam, a winner of three races in 13 starts this season and $62,532. His fourth lifetime win lifted his bankroll to $82,932.
Incredible Beauty, also trained by Clark, captured the matching $100,000 Western Filly Pace. The three-year-old daughter of Art Major-Precious Beauty and driver Don Monkman, Jr. got away third from the inside post as Lady And Thetrench (Keith Clark) set up shop on the front and carved out panels of :28.2, :58 and 1:27.2.
Incredible Beauty, who advanced first up during the third quarter, hooked up with the leader before the final turn but Lady And Thetrench battled back heading into the stretch. Digging in, Incredible Beauty managed to claim the lead and hold off a hard-closing Onaway (Jeff Stone) - the elim winner rallied from fifth for the silver medal despite enduring broken equipment. Incredible Beauty, the 5-1 second choice, won by a neck in 1:56.4. Cuzzin Mimi (Jamie Gray) came on for third.
To watch the race, click here.
Incredible Beauty has won seven times in 18 tries this season earning $79,980 for the Ceejay Stable of De Winton, Doris McDougall of Cochrane and Robert Jones of Slave Lake, Alta. Her 10th win overall lifted her lifetime earnings over the $100,000 mark to $119,845.
Clark enjoyed a standout afternoon as his trainees captured five of the nine races on the program. Armbro Dublin is now two-for-two at Northlands' fall harness meet thanks to his win in the $13,000 Open Pace Saturday. The 8-5 favourite, trained and driven by Clark, advanced to the lead at the first quarter in :27.3 and remained in charge as the field raced past the half in :56.4.
On the move from fourth, Timberline Court (Gerry Hudon) surged ahead in the third interval and secured a three-length advantage by the three-quarters mark in 1:25.1. Refusing to settle for the runner-up spot, Armbro Dublin accelerated in the stretch and with a :29.2 final frame he reached up to snatch the victory by a neck in 1:55.1. Trust The Artist (Kelly Hoerdt) finish two and three-quarter lengths behind in third.
Armbro Dublin notched his sixth win in 21 starts this year and lifted his earnings to $56,670 for owner Robert Jones. The six-year-old son of Cambest-Lilmisscantdowrong has won 38 times over the course of his career and sports a bankroll totaling $454,612.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click here.