Shark Week smashes Century Downs all-age record

Shark Week (Vertical Horizon) was on a mission on Saturday (May 27) at Century Downs, and he succeeded in becoming the fastest horse ever at the track, breaking the overall record by a second.

The gelding, previously a joint-record holder for the fastest ever at the 11/16th mile oval, powered to the front. Michael Hennessy let him loose, cutting a quarter of :26.2, a half of :54.3 to deal with the challenge of Samba Beat (Brandon Campbell), and a 1:22.2 three-quarters.

The hot tempo only emboldened Shark Week, who pulled away turning for home. He was eight lengths clear at the eighth pole, and tacked on a few more  to win by 12-and-a-half lengths in 1:50.1.

Armycaptin Hanover (Nathan Sobey) earned the best-of-the-rest title with Redstone Arsenal (John Chappell) third.

SHARK WEEK REPLAY

Shark Week previously tied the all-age, all-sex record of 1:51.1 on Sep. 10, 2022 and held it with Codename Cigar Box. He is also the joint holder of the aged stallion record at Century Mile.

Shark Week also reached a milestone to go along with the monster mile; he has now earned a quarter of a million dollars. The five-year-old has won 27 of his 61 lifetime starts and seven of his 11 this season. Rodney Hennessy trains the gelding and co-owns him with Lorne Duffield of Edmonton.

Also on today’s card, Century Downs hosted seven Alberta Sires Stakes eliminations.

Alberta Sires Stakes Diamond eliminations — three-year-old fillies

Dave Kelly and Beep Bop A Lula (Vertical Horizon) captured the first elimination in 1:56.1. The filly led all the way and was a length-and-a-half the best over Cenalta Token (Logan Gillis). Handcuffed (Nathan Sobey) finished third.

BEEP BOP A LULA REPLAY

Shesmyinspiration (Outrageous Art, Sobey) charged three-wide to victory in the second elimination in 1:56.3. Riskofthunderstorm (Kelly) made up four positions in the last quarter to finish second. My Little Chloe (Thomas Michael Miller) was third.

SHESMYINSPIRATION REPLAY

Caviar N Crackers (Captive Audience, Phil Giesbrecht) passed Festiveus (Michael Hennessy) and Promise Kept (Brandon Campbell) in the stretch to win in 1:54.3. The latter two finished second and third, respectively.

CAVIAR N CRACKERS REPLAY

Alberta Sires Stakes Marksman eliminations — three-year-old colts and geldings

Ponder No Longer (Smart Shark, Giesbrecht) hauled down Opulent Dragon (Sobey) from the pocket to win the first group in 1:55.1. Opulent Dragon was a clear second. Cenalta Duramax (Campbell) was 11-and-a-half lengths back in third.

PONDER NO LONGER REPLAY

Mickie Mantle (Custard The Dragon) made it a triple for Giesbrecht, scorching his opponents by eight-and-a-half lengths in a 1:54.4 victory. Yru So Sirius (Hennessy) held second over Smokn Joe (Jamie Gray).

MICKIE MANTLE REPLAY

Catfish Jack (Bjs Bequia) coasted to a 1:55.4 win in the third elim for Gillis. Mister Moose (Gray) cut down the gap late and was a clear second. Five Star Dragon (Sobey) finished third.

CATFISH JACK REPLAY

Virtual Horizon (Vertical Horizon, Campbell) set down the fastest mile of the elims as he sailed to a 1:53.3. win in the final elimination. Tin Can Timmy (Giesbrecht) stuck with him and finished second. Rum N Raisins (Gray) followed him closely for second.

VIRTUAL HORIZON REPLAY

The $50,000A finals are set for Saturday, Jun. 3.

It was also Mental Health Day at Century Downs. The track raised $4,177 for the Calgary Region of the Canadian Mental Health Association through donations, collected $1,315 through a 50/50 draw, and held a silent auction, in which all current and final bids total $2,309.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink