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Century Downs concludes their 2025 thoroughbred season today with a 12-race card featuring claiming races, maiden events, and allowance competitions. Post time was moved from 4:45 PM to 1:45 PM MT due to incoming weather conditions affecting the Calgary area.
Weather and Track Conditions
Calgary is experiencing partly sunny conditions with temperatures reaching 3°C during the day and dropping to -5°C in the evening. Light precipitation is possible with 1.6 mm of rain and 0.5 cm of snow forecast, though the track surface is expected to remain fast for racing. The early post time change suggests management is working to complete the card before weather deteriorates.
Race 1 – Maiden Claiming ($16,000) – 6 Furlongs
This two-year-old maiden claiming opener features five juveniles making their career debuts. Schmugley appears most likely with trainer Gonzalo Anderson having solid success at the meet. The colt draws the rail and gets Rashaun Griffith, who has been competitive throughout the season.
Force of Fire presents the main challenge from post two with Richard Lunan aboard for trainer Colten Mead. The outside horses Foolish Pharoah and Memorecowboythanu will need pace help to factor, while the lone filly Fox End gets a weight break but faces a difficult task against the males.
Pace Analysis: Early speed should come from the inside with Schmugley and Force of Fire likely setting the tempo.
Race 2 – Maiden Claiming ($6,000) – 6 1/2 Furlongs
A competitive six-horse maiden claiming event for three-year-olds and up. The Cat Let Me In brings experience at age five and gets the services of Kemar Chase for trainer Darcy Smith. The horse’s veteran status could prove advantageous in this company.
Maverikie represents solid value from post two with Keihton Natera riding for David Nicholson. The four-year-old gelding should be ready to graduate at this claiming level. I Know Someone adds depth for the powerful Henson stable with N’Rico Prescod in the irons.
Pace Analysis: Moderate pace expected with The Cat Let Me In and Maverikie likely pressing early.
Race 3 – Maiden Claiming ($6,000) – 6 1/2 Furlongs
Similar conditions to Race 2 with Moon Mullins drawing attention as the oldest horse in the field at age four. Trainer Joan Petrowski has been effective with claiming horses, and Brian Boodramsingh provides solid piloting.
Brookland represents trainer Tom Rycroft, who has shown good form recently at the track. The three-year-old gets Enrique Gonzalez and should be competitive from post two. Holmdel Hornet rounds out the main contenders for trainer Craig Robert Smith.
Pace Analysis: Balanced pace scenario with multiple speed types.
Race 4 – Allowance Optional Claiming ($17,500) – 1 1/8 Miles
The day’s route race features six horses in allowance/optional claiming conditions. Bobby Dazzler appears formidable as a lightly raced three-year-old for trainer Colleen O’Hagan with Keimar Trotman riding. The horse’s class edge should tell at this distance.
Keen Flatter brings tactical speed and proven form at Century Downs, having shown well in recent outings. The five-year-old gets Jose Asencio, the track’s leading rider. Papichulo adds veteran presence for trainer Colten Mead.
Pace Analysis: Route pace with Keen Flatter likely setting reasonable fractions.
Race 5 – Allowance Optional Claiming ($17,500) – 6 Furlongs
A competitive sprint featuring Firecracker Stand seeking redemption after recent efforts. The veteran has shown ability but must prove fitness. Who’s That Baby presents the main challenge as a four-year-old filly dropping in class for Tom Rycroft.
Tool Time brings consistent form for trainer Gonzalo Anderson with Rashaun Griffith aboard. The six-year-old has been competitive at this level throughout the meet. Gem Quality rounds out the main contenders.
Pace Analysis: Aggressive early pace expected with multiple speed horses.
Selections: Who’s That Baby to win, Tool Time to place, Firecracker Stand for show value.
Race 6 – Claiming ($4,000) – 6 Furlongs
Lower-level claiming action with Wickedblackbullet getting first call from trainer Darcy Smith and jockey Keihton Natera. The five-year-old should find this company suitable. Big Nick offers value for trainer Craig Robert Smith with Keimar Trotman riding.
Our Bold Prince brings veteran savvy for trainer Gonzalo Anderson, while Jump the Queue could benefit from the class drop. The race appears wide open with several legitimate contenders.
Pace Analysis: Modest pace with Wickedblackbullet and Big Nick likely pressing.
Selections: Big Nick to win, Wickedblackbullet to place, Jump the Queue for value.
Race 7 – Starter Allowance – 6 Furlongs
A Man’s Man headlines this starter allowance featuring horses that have competed for low claiming prices. The nine-year-old veteran gets Keihton Natera for trainer Joan Petrowski. Performative represents the same connections and should be competitive.
My Munnings Model drops back to this level for trainer Gonzalo Anderson with Rashaun Griffith riding. The four-year-old has shown ability and could benefit from the class relief.
Pace Analysis: Moderate pace with veteran horses setting sustainable fractions.
Selections: My Munnings Model to win, A Man’s Man to place, Performative for show.
Race 8 – Allowance – 6 1/2 Furlongs
Speightsoulcomet appears best in this allowance restricted to horses that haven’t won two races. The four-year-old filly gets Keimar Trotman for trainer Craig Robert Smith. Tango for the Soul provides main competition as a three-year-old filly for trainer Jerri Robertson.
Gingers Giant adds depth for trainer Gonzalo Anderson with Rashaun Griffith aboard. The three-year-old has shown promise and could factor with improvement.
Pace Analysis: Fillies setting reasonable pace in this restricted event.
Selections: Speightsoulcomet to win, Gingers Giant to place, Tango for the Soul for show.
Race 9 – Claiming ($6,000) – 6 1/2 Furlongs
Fillies and mares restricted to non-winners of two races. Sweet City Doll brings experience for trainer Jerri Robertson with Brian Boodramsingh riding. The four-year-old mare should be competitive in this company.
Rising Strong offers value for trainer Ron Grieves with N’Rico Prescod aboard. The four-year-old has shown ability and could benefit from the class drop. Adventurous rounds out the main contenders.
Pace Analysis: Moderate pace expected among the female competitors.
Selections: Rising Strong to win, Sweet City Doll to place, Pocketfulofdreams as longshot play.
Race 10 – Allowance Optional Claiming ($25,000) – 7 Furlongs
Gunfighter appears formidable in this higher-level allowance/optional claiming event. The six-year-old gelding gets Enrique Gonzalez for trainer Robert Henson. Puttingonthefoil provides competition as a three-year-old for trainer Gonzalo Anderson.
Patriotic Freedom adds depth for trainer Madison Zielke with Rasheed Hughes riding. The leading jockey should give this one every chance to succeed.
Pace Analysis: Seven-furlong pace allowing for tactical positioning.
Selections: Gunfighter to win, Patriotic Freedom to place, Puttingonthefoil for show.
Race 11 – Claiming ($8,000) – 6 Furlongs
A competitive nine-horse claiming sprint. Stone Carver brings veteran presence as a 10-year-old for trainer Gonzalo Anderson with Dane Nelson aboard. Linchpin Storm represents trainer Cory Rumsey and could offer value.
Perdition and Sportscarr both represent trainer Joan Petrowski, providing multiple chances for the barn. Zone Control drops to this level and could be dangerous for trainer Darcy Smith.
Pace Analysis: Aggressive pace likely with nine horses and multiple speed types.
Selections: Zone Control to win, Sportscarr to place, Perdition for show value.
Race 12 – Ratings Handicap – 6 1/2 Furlongs
The finale features horses rated 63-69. Mount Asgard carries top weight for trainer Tom Rycroft with Brian Boodramsingh aboard. The six-year-old brings proven form at Century Downs.
Readytotapnsing offers value for trainer Colten Mead with Keihton Natera riding. Frostedbird completes the main contenders for trainer Gonzalo Anderson.
Pace Analysis: Handicap weights should create competitive balance.
Selections: Readytotapnsing to win, Mount Asgard to place, Buzzinga Karma for exotic value.
Jockey Analysis
Jose Asencio leads the Century Downs jockey standings with excellent form throughout the meet. Rasheed Hughes ranks second with consistent performance, while N’Rico Prescod maintains third position. Rashaun Griffith, Keihton Natera, and Brian Boodramsingh have all shown competence throughout the season.
Trainer Insights
Gonzalo Anderson has multiple runners today and has shown consistent form throughout the meet. Tom Rycroft and Robert Henson represent established barns with proven success at Century Downs. Craig Robert Smith and Joan Petrowski both field several horses and should be respected.
Wagering Strategy
Focus on exacta and trifecta plays in races with short fields while utilizing pick-3 and pick-4 combinations across the card. The claiming races offer the best value opportunities, while the allowance events provide more predictable outcomes for building multi-race wagers. Weather conditions and the final day atmosphere could create pace advantages for horses with tactical speed.
Best Bets: Maverikie (Race 2), Bobby Dazzler (Race 4), My Munnings Model (Race 7), Zone Control (Race 11).
