Friday night, June 18, was a night of speed at Century Mile in Nisku, Alberta, as the stakes schedule for the track got underway.
Over the dirt track, HIDDEN GRACE took the $50,000 Red Tail Landing Stakes in a rapid 1:07.77 for six furlongs, setting a track record. Two races later, STONE CARVER won the $50,250 Journal Handicap and bettered that time, speeding the distance in a stunning 1:07.51. That time is just off the Canadian record for 6 furlongs set by Hollywood Hit at Woodbine of 1:07.31.
Hidden Grace (Going Commando – High Pioneer by Pioneering) was making her 2021 debut in the 21st Red Tail Landing. The 5-year-old mare, last year’s Manitoba Horse of the Year, came out sharp and battled on the pace from the start. She was joined by another top mare, Raider, in the stretch run and edged that one to win by a head for her 13th career win in 18 races. Owned and bred by Barry Arnason, Cam Ziprick and Charles Fouillard, Hidden Grace was ridden to victory by Edwin Gonzalez. The mare has earned over $247,000 US.
The track record set by Hidden Grace lasted exactly one hour as STONE CARVER (Birdstone – Vermillion Sea, by Boundary) also went to the lead in a pace duel and then edged clear of Maskwecis to win the Journal by half a length. The 6-year-old gelding, last year’s Champion Older Male in Alberta, was also ridden by Gonzalez for owners Riversedge Racing Stables and trainer Tim Rycroft.
It was the second consecutive Journal Handicap win for Stone Carver, who has seven wins in 28 races and earnings of over $160,000. The gelding was bred in Kentucky by T/C Stable.
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On Sunday, the 3-year-olds got their first stakes opportunities in the Chariot Chaser and Western Canada Handicap.
Kentucky-bred SHELTERED BAY (Gemologist – City by the Bay by City IP) won the $50,250 Chariot Chaser for Indyrock Racing, Graham Thoroughbreds and True North Stable. Trained by Craig Smith, the dark bay sped to a clear lead early in the six furlong race and won by 1 1/4 lengths under Rico Walcott in a time of 1:09.67. The filly was third in her career debut at Turf paradise on April 20 and won a maiden race on May 23 at Century Mile. She was purchased from the 2019 Alberta Mixed Sale for $3,000 (US) and was bred by Oak Ridge Farm.
Another Kentucky-bred, TONY’S TAPIT (Tonalist – Autumn Wedding by Runaway Groom), won the Western Canada by 5 1/2 lengths despite early crowding in the race. The dark bay colt is owned by Kirk Sutherland and trained by James Brown. It was the first start in Canada for Tony’s Tapit who has already won 5 races in 2021, all at Turf Paradise in Arizona. He raced six furlongs in 1:09.03 under Edwin Gonzalez. He has won six of 12 races and earned over $147,000.
The Western Canada Stakes is an early stepping stone to the Canadian Derby.
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