Rycroft has two stakes wins on Alberta Fall Classic Day

Trainer Tim Rycroft won two of the seven stakes races for Alberta-breds on the 10-race Alberta Fall Classic Day card at Century Downs on Sunday.

The track was rated good for the first four stakes and was upgraded to fast for the final three.

The Rycroft-trained Smarty River Pants started the festivities with an easy win over Bonnies Lil Rascal in the $51,000 Alberta Premier’s Futurity. He paid $2.10 for his 2 3/4-length win in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for 2-year-olds. He was ridden by Wilmer Galviz. Undefeated in four starts, the homebred son of Afleet Alex is owned by Riversedge Racing Stables.

Due to a timer malfunction there was no official time for the race.

Rycroft’s other win came in the $50,000 Alberta Oaks with I Miss Back When. The daughter of Alydeed came from a stalking position to win the 1 1/16-mile race by 4 1/2 lengths over Instant Wyn. She paid $4.90 and posted a final time of 1:46.67.

The Oaks was the final stakes on the day and the final leg of the Cross Country Pick 4, which included the Grade 1 Natalma for 2-year-old fillies and Grade 1 Summer for 2-year-olds at Woodbine. La Pelosa won the Natalma and Fog of War took the Summer.

The other race in the sequence, the $50,000 Sturgeon at 6 1/2 furlongs for 2-year-old fillies, was won by Miss Hesi, who paid $13.50.

The 20-cent 13-3-1(10)-6 Pick 4 paid $293.37.

Miss Hesi was ridden by Shamaree Muir for trainer Ernie Keller. The homebred daughter of No Hesitation is owned by Side Management Ltd.

Alberta Breeder's Handicap

Jockey Rey Williams put even-money favorite Zippity Zap on the lead and was able to hold off Water Wagon by a nose in the $48,000 Alberta Breeder's Handicap. It was a thrilling finish to the 1 1/6-mile race for 3-year-olds and up, with Black Magic River finishing a nose behind Water Wagon.

Zippity Zap, trained by Craig Smith, paid $4.00 and posted a final time of 1:44.80.

Red Diamond Express

Williams was also aboard Irish Gold ($19.50) when the 4-year-old son of Dublin led all the way in the $50,000 Red Diamond Express for 3-year-olds and up going 6 1/2 furlongs.

The final time was a quick 1:16.72. Trained by Jerri Robertson, Irish Gold gave an elated Dale Ellson her first stakes win as an owner.

Beaufort Stakes

With Shamaee Muir riding, Regal Max set the pace and then held off a determined bid from Shimshine to win the $50,000 Beaufort Stakes.

Regal Max paid $3.60. The final time of for the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds was 1:44.92.

The son of Max Forever is trained by Rick Hedge and owned by Almac Racing Stable and Kerredge Farm.

The all-sources mutuel handle of $364,566 was a record for Century Downs, which opened last year.

Distaff

Another front-running winner was Our Sammi, who broke on top and never looked back in the $51,000 Fall Classic Distaff at 1 1/16 miles. The homebred daughter of Schramsberg owned by Bar None Ranches paid $11.60. She was ridden by Shannon Beauregard for trainer Ron Grieves.