Speedy 3-year-old ASYOUBELIEVE relished a drying-out track at Century Mile in Nisku, AB on June 18 to win the 95th Western Canada Handicap by 5 3/4 lengths. The dark bay gelding by Second in Command – I Believe in Angel, by Cause to Believe is owned by Craig Roberts’ Shot in the Dark Racing Corp. and trained by Tim Rycroft. Enrique Gonzalez rode the winner.
Bet down to 4-to-5, Asyoubelieve was quickly in an early pace battle from the inside at the start of the six-furlong dash before he soon pulled clear of his six rivals. He ran the distance in a sharp 1:09.89.
This was the fifth win in seven races for Asyoubelieve and his third stakes victory. He was purchased at the CTHS September sale in 2020 for $7,634 (US).
Asyoubelieve was bred by Paul Caravetta and Russ Bennett. The gelding’s dam, I Believe in Angel, won four of 12 starts in her career. This is her first foal and her second foal, the 2-year-old Rockcliffe (also by Second in Command), recently won his career debut by four lengths at Hastings racecourse.
Also at Century Mile on June 18, STONE CARVER gave Rycroft and Gonzalez their second stakes win of the day, taking the Journal Handicap by a scant nose in a four-horse blanket finish. It was the third time 7-year-old Stone Carver has won the Journal Handicap. Stone Carver battled on the pace throughout the six furlongs and held off a charging Sebastien’s Boy, who was 21-to-1, the longest shot in the $50,000 event.
Stone Carver is a Kentucky-bred by Birdstone owned by Riversedge Racing Stables, Ltd. This was the 10th win in 37 races and fifth stakes win for the gelding who has earnings of over $204,000.
On Friday, June 17, fillies were in the spotlight in a pair of stakes races. DANCE SHOES won the Redtail Landing Stakes by 5 1/2 lengths in 1:08.86 for six furlongs. The 4-year-old Alberta-bred filly by Mank – Dancin for Dellana by Whywhywhy is owned by Mohamed Khan and trained by Jim Brown. Dane Nelson rode.
ONEOFTHEMGIRLS won the Chariot Chaser Stakes for 3-year-olds her fifth straight stakes win going back to last fall. The Alberta-bred by Exhi – Eustacia by Forestry was ridden by Rico Walcott and the pair lasted by half a length as the 2-to-1 favourite. Oneofthemgirls was bred by Highfield INvestment Group and Curtis Landry and is owned by the breeders and Irving Devey. Greg Tracy trains.
ASYOUBELIEVE takes the 95th Running of the Western Canada Handicap by storm, making this the second stakes win of the night for Enrique Gonzalez and Tim Rycroft.
The 3YO gelding was bred in BC by Bennett/Caravetta and is owned by Shot In The Dark Racing Corp.
Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/G32HFVDZ2T
— Century Mile (@cntymile) June 19, 2022
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