Logan Gorst Wins Richard Cosgrave Memorial Award after Clinching Rangeland Derby Aggregate
Calgary – In his final year competing at the GMC Rangeland Derby, Ray Mitsuing knew he had the horse power to win day money at least one more time. He was right, as he sped around the Stampede track on Friday in a blistering time of 1:10.38, which is the quickest clocking of the 10-day show so far.
“They ran good tonight, super good,” said Mitsuing, who praised his horses for their quick start off the third barrel in the sixth heat. “When I turned the barrels, I knew I had a good run coming.” For his efforts, the 65-year-old from Loon Lake, Saskatchewan won $6,000 to increase his earnings to $28,100 through eight days of action.
“That’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Mitsuing, who says he couldn’t hear the fans cheering for him down the stretch. “I knew I was going to win the heat, but I didn’t hear the crowd at all. That’s stuff you don’t hear. You just concentrate on what you’re doing.” Heading into the final two nights of racing at the Calgary Stampede, Mitsuing believes he has the horse power to compete to win day money again.
“I’m not going out softly, you know,” he said. Chanse Vigen had Friday’s second fastest time of 1:11.21 to win $5,200, while Vern Nolin finished third in 1:11.38 to take home $4,600.
Although he finished third in the eighth heat, Logan Gorst retained his lead atop the aggregate standings with a total time of 9:52.65. In addition to winning the Richard Cosgrave Memorial Award, Gorst was also given the keys to a 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD truck.
Rounding out the top eight drivers who qualified to compete in Semifinal Sunday with the chance to advance to Sunday’s $100,000 Dash for Cash are Todd Baptiste, Luke Tournier, Ross Knight, Evan Salmond, Vern Nolin Chad Fike and Chance Bensmiller.
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The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned 10-day Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together; we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and promotes western heritage and values. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.
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