History is at Ima Rum Runner's hand

Nathan Sobey’s Ima Rum Runner made history by becoming the first winner for freshman sire Captain Deo, capturing the $50,000 Norm Kennedy Memorial for two-year-old colts and geldings on Saturday, July 20, at Century Downs.

The gelding, driven by Sobey, moved out of third place approaching the final turn and challenged the leader, Momas Work Of Art (Serge Masse), as they raced towards three-quarters. Despite a strong effort from Momas Work Of Art, Ima Rum Runner surged ahead in the final strides to secure a victory in 1:56.3. Dont Shoot Luke (Mike Hennessy) finished third.

Trained by Sobey for owner/breeders Keith Clark and Robert Jones, Ima Rum Runner was third in his debut on July 13 and is now one-for-two. He is the first winner from the first crop of Captain Deo, who began his stud career in Alberta in 2022. The gelding is a half-brother to Rum N Custard, a multiple stakes place-getter this year, and Dontpokethedragon, an Alberta Sires Stakes champion with over $450,000 in career earnings.

The race card also included two $25,000 divisions of the Emerald Filly Pace for two-year-old female pacers.

Custard Dolce (Custard The Dragon, Jamie Gray) won the first division, breaking her maiden with a trip similar to Ima Rum Runner's. Gray moved Custard Dolce from third place down the backstretch, and she overtook Imashipwreck (Brandon Campbell) for a half-length victory in 1:58.1. Phone The Cops (Serge Masse) finished third.

Custard Dolce has earned $13,004 in two starts. She finished fourth in her debut on July 12. Gray trains, drives, bred, and co-owns the filly with Jackson Wittup, Max Gibb, and Derek Wilson.

Hot Shot Shark (Smart Shark) remained perfect in her second career start. Driven by Logan Gillis, the filly led from start to finish, holding off Blowing In the Wind (Brandon Campbell) by a neck in 1:57.4. Eyes Up Here (Dave Kelly) finished third.

Hot Shot Shark, who won her debut in 1:57, is trained and owned by Rodney Starkewski. The filly is a half-sister to Alberta Sires Stakes champion Burning Hot and 2019 Norm Kennedy Memorial winner Crackle N Burn.

Shark Week (Vertical Horizon) continued his impressive return from a three-month layoff, winning his second consecutive race in the Preferred category. Known for his 17-race winning streak from 2023-2024, Shark Week took control early and maintained his lead, winning in 1:51 with Hennessy driving.

The six-year-old, who became the first horse to break 1:50 in Western Canada and holds all-age records at both Century tracks, has now won 44 of 79 career races, earning $370,225 for owners Lorne Duffield and Rodney Hennessy, who also trains the gelding.

The next card at Century Downs is scheduled for Friday, July 26.