Maskwecis wins Beaufort Stakes to cap Alberta Fall Classic Day

Maskwecis stamped his ticket to the Grade 3, $100,000 Canadian Derby at Century Mile on Sept. 27 with a victory in the $40,000 Beaufort Stakes at Century Sunday evening. Sent off as the heavy favorite in the mile and a sixteenth race for Alberta-bred 3-year-olds, he paid $3.20.

Ridden by Rico Walcott, Maskwecis moved into serous contention while going four wide on the stretch turn and got up in the final strides to edge Bare Back Jack by three-quarters of a length. It was another 2 3/4 lengths back to Ryanwater, who came from well back.

The final time was 1:43.43.

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Trained by Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Red Smith, the son of Jimmy Creed races for Jim and Carole Barker and Red Ron Farms.

The Beaufort was one of seven $40,000 stakes for Alberta-breds that made up the bulk of the 12-race Alberta Fall Classic Day card.

Kicking off the stake’s festival was the Alberta Breeders’ Handicap, where Shimshine came from last to win the mile and a sixteenth race for 3-year-olds and up.

He paid $5.90 for his half-length victory over Regal Max.

The 5-year-old gelding by Wilko was ridden by Anastasios Chalaris for trainer Elige Bourne. He is owned White Pine Ranch.

With Walcott riding, Pearl of Knowledge led at every call in the Alberta Oaks. Trained by Karline Kingston for Don Danard and Jim Juris, she paid $4 and posted a final time of 1:46.64 in the mile and a sixteenth race for 3-year-old fillies.

Stormchaser ($8.10) gave trainer Jim Brown his first stakes win at Century Mile in the six-furlong Red Dial Express for 3-year-olds and up. With Rigo Sarmiento aboard, he posted a final time of 1:19.08. It was the first stakes win for the 6-year-old son of Stormin Fever who races for Mitch Sutherland.

Light Fast Feet paid $10.20 for her two and one-quarter length win over heavily favored Bound to Be Smart in the Sturgeon River for 2-year-old fillies.

The daughter of Declassify was ridden by Shamaree Muir. The final time for the six-furlong dash was 1:12.81.

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Light Fast Feet races for Doug Oberg and is trained by Ernie Keller.

Dancing Willie paid $26.30 for his front-running victory over Bang On in the Alberta Premier’s Futurity for 2-year-olds. Bang On may have been best as he closed with determination after blowing the start.

A son of Gio Ponti, Dancing Willie was ridden by Chalaris for owner-trainer Tom Rycroft.

Piper Rose gave trainer Red Smith his second win on the evening in the Distaff. She paid $21.50 for her win over Saveitforarainyday. With Rey Williams aboard, she finished with a rush after trailing the field in the mile and a sixteenth race for fillies and mares.

The final time was 1:44.65.

A daughter of Whiskey Wisdom, Piper Rose races for Tina Stone and Linda Smith.

The $1.361,878 mutuel handle was a record for Century Mile which opened last year. It easily eclipsed the previous high of $1,181,817.