Calgary – By golly, Kris Molle posted the fastest time on the third night of racing at the 2019 GMC Rangeland Derby. Off barrel one in the eighth heat, Molle, 41, of Watson, Saskatchewan, sped around the Stampede track in a quick time of 1:13.89 to win Friday’s top day money prize of $6,000.

“The horses started nice and made a nice turn and we were able to get out of town and have a nice clean run and it was fast and we were lucky enough to get the day money,” Molle said. Making his sixth straight appearance at the Calgary Stampede, Molle moved up to 20th place in the aggregate standings and he’s confident that he can continue to keep running clean.

“We hit that barrel on the first night, so just keep running clean and try to climb back up and try to get in that eighth spot by the end of the week,” Molle said. “You need a bit of luck and anything can happen in this wagon racing business. You can be the top one night and the bottom the next. It’s a very humbling sport.”

Jamie Laboucane continued his progression of getting better every night at the GMC Rangeland Derby. Laboucane, 32, of St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, had a rough first night of the 10-day show on Friday when he was assessed seven seconds in penalties and finished with a time of 1:23.17. After circling the track in 1:18.88 on Saturday, Laboucane shaved off even more time to post Sunday’s second best time of 1:13.97 to win the fourth heat. For his efforts, Laboucane earned $5,200 in day money.

Off the third barrel, Logan Gorst won the ninth and final heat of the night in a time of 1:14.44 to edge two-time defending champion Kurt Bensmiller by 8/100ths of a second. Thanks to his quick time, Gorst moved to the top of the aggregate standings with a three-day total time of 3:51.69. He’s followed closely by Chad Fike at 3:52.06, Evan Salmond at 3:52.08 and Chad Harden at 3:53.16. Chance Bensmiller, who was leading the standings heading into Sunday’s action, fell back to fifth place overall with an aggregate time of 3:53.24.

About the Calgary Stampede

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 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.

For more information, please contact:

Kristina Barnes

Communications Manager, Western Events and Agriculture

T 403.261.0382

C 403.585.4706

E kbarnes@calgarystampede.com