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Century Downs hosts thoroughbred racing from 6:15 PM to 9:51 PM MDT with nine races featuring claiming, starter allowance, and maiden special weight conditions. The evening card offers purses ranging from $12,500 to $28,000, with a competitive mix of older horses and three-year-olds across various distances.
Weather and Track Conditions
The weather forecast for Calgary shows cloudy conditions with temperatures reaching 14°C (57°F) and dropping to 7°C (45°F) overnight. These mild autumn conditions with no precipitation expected should maintain fast track conditions on Century Downs’ dirt surface. The track crew typically maintains optimal moisture levels for consistent footing, which should favor front-running tactics and speed horses.
Race 1 – 6:15 PM – Claiming $6,000 – 1 1/16 Miles
This claiming race for horses that have never won two races brings together five older runners over the marathon distance. Samurai Challenge draws the rail with Kemar Richard Chase aboard for trainer Darcy W. Smith. The four-year-old gelding carries 123 pounds and should benefit from the inside draw in what figures to be a tactical affair. Rattlesnake Jack represents the same connections from post two, bringing proven durability as a six-year-old.
Timmy Dancer ships in for Travis Robson with Andrew Poon riding from the three-hole. The four-year-old shows consistent form and could benefit from the outside stalking trip. Writ in Stone gets weight relief as a three-year-old and draws a favorable outside post for Enrique Gonzalez. The pace should develop moderately with tactical positioning crucial over the demanding distance.
Race 2 – 6:42 PM – Claiming $4,000 – 1 1/16 Miles
This fillies and mares claiming event features five runners seeking class relief. Texas Legacy brings experience as a seven-year-old mare for the Rycroft barn with Brian Boodramsingh riding. Despite Tim Rycroft experiencing a challenging season, his veteran mare could find the lower level suitable.
Beautiful Babe gets significant weight relief and represents solid connections. The eight-year-old mare has shown ability at this level previously. El Correcaminos appears well-placed as a four-year-old filly dropping in class with Kyle Carter taking the mount. The pace scenario favors horses that can secure good early positioning.
Race 3 – 7:09 PM – Claiming $12,000 – 7 Furlongs
The sprint distance and higher claiming level creates competitive dynamics among five geldings. Legal Assassin brings tactical speed with Tevin Foster riding for Rod Heggie. The four-year-old should appreciate the seven-furlong distance and represents solid connections.
Doug’s Hero has shown consistency for Joan Petrowski with Brian Boodramsingh in the irons. The four-year-old has been competitive at this level and could benefit from a good stalking trip. Brody’s Pal adds experience as a five-year-old for Seymour Biggs, while Chickoutthebizz gets weight allowance as a three-year-old.
The pace should develop honestly with multiple horses showing early speed tendencies. Track bias typically favors horses with tactical speed who can secure good position.
Race 4 – 7:36 PM – Claiming $6,000 – 6 Furlongs
Six horses contest this sprint featuring competitive claiming level action. Dunkin’ Run brings proven sprint ability with Andrew Poon aboard for Jocelyn Giesbrecht. The four-year-old gelding has shown consistent form at this distance and level.
He Likes Winning lives up to his name with solid recent efforts for Craig Robert Smith. Rasheed Hughes takes the mount on the four-year-old who has been competitive in similar company. Violent Violet provides filly power in the sprint with Kyle Carter riding for Madison Zielke.
Remarkable Eli adds veteran experience as a nine-year-old for Ashley Gilkyson. The seasoned gelding could surprise at longer odds if the pace develops favorably. The six-furlong distance should create honest early fractions.
Race 5 – 8:03 PM – Starter Optional Claiming $8,000 – 6 1/2 Furlongs
This starter allowance for fillies and mares brings together six runners with proven class. Machina represents powerful connections with Dane Nelson riding for Gonzalo Anderson. The five-year-old mare brings tactical speed and has shown ability at this level.
East Coast Cowgirl has been competitive for Karline Kingston with Antonio Whitehall taking the reins. The four-year-old filly could benefit from the distance and class relief. Joy in Grace adds experience as a seven-year-old mare for James Brown with Richard Balgobin aboard.
Bootiful Rose opens from the rail for Madison Zielke with Renaldo Cumberbatch riding. The five-year-old mare has been consistent and could benefit from the inside draw. The pace should develop moderately with tactical positioning important.
Race 6 – 8:30 PM – Claiming $6,000 – 7 Furlongs
Eight fillies and mares create the largest field of the evening. Crown of Cairo represents the hot Grieves barn with Mauricio Malvaez taking the mount. The four-year-old filly has shown improvement and could benefit from the barn’s current form.
Diamond Di brings tactical speed for Anderson Ward with Keimar Trotman aboard. The four-year-old has been competitive at this level and should appreciate the seven-furlong distance. Mystic Sally gets weight relief as a three-year-old with Kemar Richard Chase riding for David Nicholson.
Flirtation Card has shown consistency for Joan Petrowski with Enrique Gonzalez in the irons. The competitive field suggests pace will develop early with positioning crucial for the stretch drive.
Race 7 – 8:57 PM – Maiden Special Weight $28,000 – 6 1/2 Furlongs
The evening’s richest race brings together nine maidens seeking their first career victory in this $28,000 maiden special weight event at 6 1/2 furlongs. The competitive field features both three-year-olds and older horses, creating intriguing dynamics in this traditional sprint distance.
Key Contenders
Sky Music emerges as the top selection with N’Rico Prescod aboard for Craig Robert Smith. Prescod ranks third in the Century Downs jockey standings with 4 wins and brings tactical awareness to this assignment. The Smith barn has been competitive throughout the meet, and the three-year-old gelding carries the standard 122 pounds from post position three.
Growth Rate represents the same Craig Robert Smith barn with leading jockey Rasheed Hughes taking the mount. Hughes sits second in the jockey standings with 4 wins, trailing only Jose Asencio who leads with 9 victories. The four-year-old filly gets a favorable outside post draw from the nine-hole and benefits from Hughes’ current hot form. Her maturity advantage could prove decisive against the younger three-year-olds.
Mr Miezie brings the services of Jose Asencio, the meet’s leading rider, for trainer Tim Rycroft. Despite Rycroft experiencing a challenging season where he admitted “we got off to a slow start,” the combination of the top jockey with proven barn experience creates value. The three-year-old gelding draws post four and carries the laser designation, indicating recent racing activity.
Secondary Choices
Dr Broker represents another Tim Rycroft runner with Enrique Gonzalez riding from post two. The three-year-old gelding also carries the laser designation and benefits from an inside draw. While Rycroft has struggled this season, his experience with maiden runners could prove valuable.
Primal Spark Force draws attention with Kemar Richard Chase aboard for Ron Grieves from post five. The connections appear solid, and the three-year-old could benefit from tactical positioning in the middle of the field.
Longshot Considerations
River Seven offers potential value with Brian Boodramsingh riding for Joan Petrowski from post seven. The three-year-old gelding could benefit if the pace develops favorably and may attract longer odds despite solid connections.
Ladyace of Speight provides the only filly power for Ron Grieves with Mauricio Malvaez taking the mount. The four-year-old draws post six and brings maturity to the competitive field.
Pace Analysis
The 6 1/2-furlong distance creates a true sprint scenario where early positioning becomes crucial. Maiden special weight races often develop honest pace as inexperienced horses seek their first victory. The competitive field suggests multiple horses will show early speed, potentially setting up a pace that favors tactical runners who can secure good position without exhausting themselves early.
Track bias at Century Downs typically favors horses with tactical speed who can maintain position throughout. The dirt surface should be fast given the favorable weather conditions, allowing for honest fractions that could benefit closers if the pace becomes overly aggressive.
Key Angles
The jockey factor looms large with Jose Asencio’s commanding lead in the standings making Mr Miezie worth serious consideration despite trainer concerns. Rasheed Hughes’ strong form and the Craig Robert Smith barn’s consistency make Growth Rate equally compelling. N’Rico Prescod’s tactical awareness and solid standing make Sky Music the logical top choice.
The age and experience factor could favor the four-year-old fillies Growth Rate and Ladyace of Speight against the younger three-year-old geldings. Maiden races often reward horses making their second or third career start over debut runners.
Wagering Strategy
The competitive nature suggests exacta and trifecta opportunities with multiple logical contenders. Consider boxing the top three choices (Sky Music, Growth Rate, Mr Miezie) in exactas while using a wider spread in trifectas to include secondary choices. The $28,000 purse indicates this is the evening’s feature race, likely attracting the strongest betting support.
Race 8 – 9:24 PM – Claiming $5,000 – 6 Furlongs
Nine fillies and mares contest the claiming sprint. Arizona Lindy has shown consistent form for Jocelyn Giesbrecht with Andrew Poon aboard. The four-year-old filly brings tactical speed and has been competitive at this level.
B B’s Wildfire represents the Grieves barn with N’Rico Prescod taking the reins. The four-year-old filly could benefit from the barn’s current form and has shown ability in similar company. Fastestgirlintown brings proven speed for James Brown with Richard Balgobin riding.
Texas Humor adds experience as a six-year-old mare for Seymour Biggs with Tevin Foster aboard. The veteran mare has been consistent and could factor at longer odds. The sprint distance should create honest early fractions.
Race 9 – 9:51 PM – Claiming $5,000 – 6 Furlongs
Ten horses close the evening in the claiming sprint. Mucho Magic brings tactical speed for the Ron Grieves barn with N’Rico Prescod riding. The six-year-old gelding has shown consistency and represents solid connections.
Chicago’s Gray has been competitive for Craig Robert Smith with Keimar Trotman aboard. The five-year-old gelding brings proven form at this level and should appreciate the sprint distance. Eddie Crosswire represents Travis Robson with Mauricio Malvaez taking the mount.
Mendeljohn (IRE) adds international breeding for Tim Rycroft with Brian Boodramsingh riding. The five-year-old gelding could benefit from class relief despite the trainer’s challenging season. The competitive field suggests pace will develop early.
Jockey Notes
Jose Asencio leads the jockey standings with strong recent form. Rasheed Hughes sits second in wins and brings consistent performance. N’Rico Prescod maintains solid statistics and shows good tactical awareness. Kemar Richard Chase has been productive for the Darcy Smith barn. Enrique Gonzalez brings experience and versatility across different distances.
Trainer Notes
Tim Rycroft experienced a challenging season but maintains quality horses. Darcy W. Smith shows consistent form with recent stable switches proving beneficial. Ron Grieves appears to have solid current form across multiple horses. Craig Robert Smith maintains competitive runners across various divisions.
Wagering Strategy
The evening offers value opportunities in the maiden special weight and higher-level claiming races. Consider daily double combinations connecting races with shorter fields to competitive maidens. Pick 3 and Pick 4 sequences should focus on logical horses in shorter fields while spreading in competitive races. Exacta betting appears most profitable in races with clear top choices and competitive secondary options.
The track’s speed-favoring bias suggests backing horses with tactical early speed while considering closers only in races with projected fast early fractions.
