Alberta Downs kicked off its opening season with a 10-race program featuring a $4,600 Classified Pace on Saturday afternoon
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Kamora Spirit, a four-year-old With Held gelding, will go down in the history books as the track’s first winner driven to victory by John Chappell for trainer Doug Shaw in 2:01.3.
The fastest and richest race of the day was the featured Classified Pace with a purse worth $4,600. Also a four-year-old With Held gelding, Timberline Court left from the inside post for trainer, driver and co-owner Gerry Hudon and carved out panels of :28.2, :59.1 and 1:25.3 before using a :30.2 final quarter to win by three-quarters of a length over Smart Shark (Connie Kolthammer). Coming off a three-race win streak, Hot Night (Brandon Campbell) finished third.
Last year’s Black Gold and Yukon Trail winner notched his second triumph of the year and 10th of his career lifting his bankroll to $139,970 for Hudon and R Lynn Kowalevsky of Airdrie, Alta.
“Overall, for an opening day at a brand new racetrack, I'd have to say I was totally impressed,” racetrack announcer Shannon ‘Sugar’ Doyle told Trot Insider. “Decent speed for a track that was rated good and never raced on before - top class going in 1:56.
“Calling on a five-eighths and a half-miler is what I'm used to and I've never had the need for binoculars before," Doyle said in regards to the new one-mile oval. "I have to say my monitor came in handy a few times today, especially on the far turn - the track is so huge.
"All kinds of potential for some very quick miles in the weeks to come...Stay tuned!"
To view Saturday's results click here.