Hot fractions poised Icy Blue Scooter to vault past rivals and land on top to win the $13,500 Preferred Handicap Pace at Century Mile on Saturday night (Jan. 14).
Odds-on favourite Shark Week circled to the top after Samba Beat set a :26.3 first quarter to clear. Shark Week then led the field to a :55.1 half and attempted to grab a breather as the outer tier gathered motion to the final turn. Outlaw Gunsablazin led the two-wide charge with Icy Blue Scooter perched on cover to three-quarters in 1:24.4. Shark Week clung to command off the turn but folded in the long stretch to the momentum of Icy Blue Scooter, who slid to a 1-3/4-length win in 1:53.2 over closing Whiplash Smile.
Co-owned by trainer-driver Nate Sobey with Diane Bertrand and Robert Gilhespy, Icy Blue Scooter won his 40th race from 188 starts and has now banked $349,173. The 10-year-old Blue Burner gelding paid $13.90 to win.
Dave Kelly scored a training triple on the card, winning with Proud Of My Roots (1:57.3 winning mile, $2.80 to win), Dialmeup (1:56.4, $18) and Captain Fireball (1:56.4, $3.90).
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Century Mile.