Century Downs opens for third season

Director of racing Paul Ryneveld is optimistic the growth in attendance and handle that occurred in the second year at Century Downs in 2018 will continue this year. The 16-day meet begins Saturday and concludes Oct. 27.

Century Downs, located in Canada near Calgary, Alberta, races both Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds.

“We are hoping we continue the trend we have seen with the Standardbreds,” Rynveld said. “Other than Thanksgiving, we are only racing on weekends, so the average field size should improve. Last year, we averaged over seven and a half horses a race, and with the stall applications we have received we should improve on that. Plus, we have four less days.”

Barring scratches, the average field size for opening day is 8.75. The feature, an $8,000 claimer for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles, drew 12 horses. Only 11 will start, with Uncle Grumpy on the also-eligible list.

Racing will be conducted on Saturdays and Sundays as well as on Canadian Thanksgiving, Monday, Oct. 14. Post time is 1:45 p.m. Mountain.

The 15-race stakes schedule, worth $900,000, kicks off with a bang with seven stakes races restricted to Alberta-breds on Fall Classic Day, Saturday, Sept. 14. The $50,000 Breeders’ for 3-year-olds and up headlines the program.

There are three $100,000 stakes at the meet, headed by the Harvest Gold Plate on Oct. 14. Driller won the seven-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up last year and will be back to defend his title, according to trainer Mel Snow. The British Columbia-bred son of Texas Wildcatter is based at Hastings and is coming off a win in a $50,000 optional claimer there.

Trainer Mark Cloutier, also based at Hastings, said Coulterberry is gearing up for the Gold Plate. Coulterberry is coming off a runner-up finish in the $75,000 Century Mile on Aug. 18.

“It looks like a good spot for him,” Cloutier said. “We’re looking at running him in the Washington Cup race at Emerald first.”

Cloutier was referring to the $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic on Sept. 15. The 1 1/16-mile race is restricted to horses bred or sired by a stallion standing in Washington or British Columbia.

The meet closes with the $100,000 Freedom of the City for 2-year-old fillies on Oct. 26. The $100,000 Canadian Juvenile is the closing-day feature. Both races will be contested at 7 1/2 furlongs.

Rico Walcott, the leading rider at the first two meets, will be back. Walcott missed the beginning of the Century Mile meet while recovering from surgery to remove a tumor.

“I’m feeling great,” Walcott said. “I’m getting stronger every day and happy to be back riding.”

Once again it should be a battle for leading trainer. Last year, Craig Smith and Tim Rycroft tied for the honor. Greg Tracy edged Smith by one win at the inaugural meet.