After an equipment mishap caused a last-place finish, Shark Week hit the track with vigor and registered an open-length victory in the $13,500 Preferred Pace at Century Downs on Saturday afternoon (April 1).
Icy Blue Scooter cleared the lead from Sunshine Boy to a :28.1 first quarter and strolled past a :57 half. But driver Mike Hennessy got underway with Shark Week heading to the half and continued pressing on the rim as Icy Blue Scooter clung to command in a sprint to three-quarters in 1:24.3. The quick clip wore Icy Blue Scooter and he started a retreat into the final turn while Shark Week carried his momentum off the turn and coasted home a 5-1/4-length winner in 1:53.2. Samba Beat, following Shark Week’s move, gave chase in second with Armycaptin Hanover finishing third.
A five-year-old gelding by Vertical Horizon, Shark Week won his 24th race from 57 starts and has now earned $229,725. Lorne Duffield and trainer Rod Hennessy own the $4.90 winner, who was part of a natural hat trick for the conditioner.
Hennessy’s other two training wins came in the following races with JK Jelly Bean (2:01.2 winning mile; $6.40 to win) and Ceia When I Ceia (1:59.1; $6.40).
Nathan Sobey also scored a training hat trick on the 12-race card that marked the track's eighth birthday. Sobey swept the early double with Crazy I M (1:57.4; $4.10) and Outlaw Sharktastic (1:55.4; $5.50) and later collected his third win on the day with Opulent Dragon (1:57.1; $14).
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Century Downs.