Flight Club Shatters 770-Yard Track Record in CTD Distance #3 Stakes at Century Downs

Veteran distance specialist Flight Club added another milestone to his remarkable racing career Saturday afternoon at Century Downs, establishing a new 770-yard track record while cruising to a commanding four-length victory in the $21,000(CAN) CTD Distance #3 Stakes.

The 8-year-old gray gelding, owned by Jerry Stojan, stopped the clock in 39.441 seconds, earning a 112 speed index over a fast racing surface. His performance eclipsed the previous Century Downs track record of 39.495 seconds, established by Free Thought on August 31, 2019.

Flight Club lowered the nearly seven-year-old standard by 0.054 seconds, adding a track record to an already distinguished career that has made him one of Alberta's most accomplished Quarter Horse runners.

With Alexander Marti aboard, Flight Club broke sharply, established an immediate advantage and steadily widened his lead before drawing away from his four rivals. The William H. Leech trainee was much the best throughout, rewarding his backers as the overwhelming 1-20 favorite.

The record-setting victory was worth $11,130(CAN), approximately $7,947(US), increasing Flight Club's career earnings to $278,331. His updated lifetime record now stands at 40 starts, 23 wins, seven seconds and five thirds.

Bred in California by Steve D. Burns, DVM, Flight Club is a son of champion Foose out of Seperate Flight, by Separatist. He was purchased for $19,000 at the 2019 Los Alamitos Equine Mixed Sale.

Flight Club has built an impressive stakes résumé that includes victories in the Evergreen Park Juvenile Challenge, Canada Cup Derby, three editions of the Old Timers Classic Stakes, two Century Mile Bonus Challenge Stakes, and two Evergreen Park Championship Challenges.

His extensive list of stakes victories also includes the Alberta Aged Invitational Stakes, Century Mile Sprint Stakes, Cup Classic Maturity Stakes, Century Downs Aged Invitational Stakes, two Century Mile Championship Challenge Stakes, CTD Distance Stakes, CTD Distance #2 Stakes, and CTD Distance #3 Stakes.

Saturday's record-breaking performance further cemented his reputation as a standout in Canadian Quarter Horse racing, demonstrating that the veteran gelding remains a formidable competitor at age eight.

Ramblin Riggs rallied from last early to finish second, four lengths behind the winner, earning $5,460(CAN), approximately $3,899(US). The 4-year-old gelding showed late interest under jockey Orlando Foster and secured the runner-up position by a half-length over Splash Mountain Mia.

Owned and trained by Laura E. Conway, Ramblin Riggs is a son of the leading Thoroughbred sire Into Mischief out of Dashn Dame, by First Down Dash. He was bred by Andrea G. Lematta and sold for $22,000 at the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

The runner-up effort improved his lifetime record to three wins, three seconds, and one third from 16 starts, with career earnings of $18,138.

Splash Mountain Mia finished third, another half-length behind Ramblin Riggs, earning $2,520(CAN), approximately $1,799(US). The 5-year-old mare raced prominently early, stalking the leader three to four wide before weakening late. She held third by a nose over Krash On Okey.

Ridden by Alejandro Jorge Angeles for trainer Todd Kettleson, Splash Mountain Mia races for owner James F. Cusitar. The daughter of Gone To The Mountain is out of Splashy Mamacita, by Volcom, and was bred by Barry and Janice Sather.

Splash Mountain Mia was a $10,000 purchase at the 2022 AQHRA Yearling and Mixed Sale. Her career record stands at one win, one second, and two thirds from 12 starts, with earnings of $13,413. Her stakes placings include third-place finishes in the CTD Distance #2 Stakes and CTD Distance #3 Stakes.

Completing the field, Krash On Okey finished fourth, a nose behind Splash Mountain Mia, after lugging out on the turn before making a belated bid. Ridden by Gabriel Asencio for trainer Clifton Dennis and owner Agatha Fehr, Krash On Okey earned $1,260(CAN). Not Easy Being Me completed the order of finish in fifth, another neck behind, after chasing the leaders along the inside before weakening late. The Tom Kenway-owned and trained runner was ridden by M. Campillo and earned $630(CAN).

The record-setting race was contested under cloudy skies at 36°F, with no recorded wind and a fast track.

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