CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – This harness racing season has seen non-stop action at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park and it is not going to let up anytime soon as Horse Persons Day takes the stage Saturday afternoon.
The annual event presented by the P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owner's Association will feature a number of second chances draws for race patrons, prizes for winning owners, trainers and grooms as well as the Paul MacDonald Memorial Driving Championship. First race post time is 12:30 P.M. for the 12-dash program.
The Driving Championship will be featured in eight races on the program starting in race 2 with a field of eight talented reinsmen from three different categories competing. The annual challenge takes the top four dash-winning drivers from combined Charlottetown and Red Shores Summerside statistics which are Gilles Barrieau, David Dowling, Corey MacPherson and Jason Hughes.
The top percentage drivers with over 75 drives in the challenge are Mark Bradley and Mike McGuigan, while the final two spots go to the top percentage drivers with between 40 and 75 drives which will see veteran drivers Earl Smith and Brian MacPhee in the competition. The driver with the most points at the end of the day will receive the MacDonald Memorial Trophy. All drivers must hold current memberships with the PEISHOA to be eligible.
For the second chance draws for the fans, patrons can simply fill out their name and phone number on the back of any un-cashed wagering tickets and enter for a chances to win a variety of prizes.
Also on the Saturday afternoon card, the top mares on the Eastern Seaboard will again butt heads in the $2,600 feature in race 12. Collective Wisdom earns top billing in the event from post 6 with Barrieau in the bike for owner Woodmere Farms of Marshfield and trainer Jackie Matheson.
The American Ideal lass was a two-length winner in her latest. Dancers Pass has been the model of consistency lately and gets post 2 this week for driver Dowling and trainer Philip Kelly, while fellow Matheson trained The Time To Win (Driven by Ron Matheson) leaves from post 7.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac will take the advantage of post position as he puts Dancers Pass on top.
"Dancers Pass has got the versatility to handle any racing style and from this favourable post the trip of her choosing could be in the cards," MacIsaac said. "She's a potential sleeper."
Also in the field are Mrs Dragonfire (MacPherson), Rocknrols Image (Hughes), Arc Light (Marc Campbell), Imagine Speed (Bradley) and Julep Hanover (Wade Myers).
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Euchred Returns To Red Shores
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The last time they met Rose Run Quest easily prevailed but Euchred will come off a nearly month long break as he takes another crack at his top foe in the featured event Sunday afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 13-dash card has a 12:30 P.M. first race post time with the $2,900 preferred pace hitting the track in the finale.
Rose Run Quest has a four-race win streak on the line but has been assigned post 7 in the field for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owner Blair Hansen of Charlottetown. The seven-year-old son of If I Can Dream has 12 victories this season from 22 starts and has only missed the top-three four times in 2019.
Euchred has not seen action since Oct. 19 and moves back into the Walter Walker stable for owner Kayla Habicht-Walker of Inverness. Gilles Barrieau gets the catch driving call behind the 51-time winner. Nogreatmischief won the top class last week but will have to work out a trip from post 6 on Sunday for trainer-driver Walter Cheverie.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac admits going against Rose Run Quest for the winning position is far from a safe play but he likes a rejuvenated Euchred on top of his tickets.
"With Euchred's gate speed he should be able to secure an uncontested lead and with the dominant horse in this class assigned the outside post, this guy is a suitable option if you're trying to get the heavy favourite beat," MacIsaac said.
Rounding out the field are Mick Dundee (Driven by Don MacNeill), JJ Powerball (Myles Heffernan Sr.), Screen Test (Corey MacPherson) and Woodmere Ideal Art (Jason Hughes).
After an unsuccessful run at the top class last week at Red Shores, Well Did will move into the back-up class on Sunday afternoon and the top Truro Raceway pacer gets rail control in the $2,500 event. Paul Langille of Lower Onslow, N.S., owns, trains and drives the Well Said pacer, who knocked off the top class at Truro Raceway in Bible Hill, N.S., two starts in-a-row before competing at Red Shores last week in the preferred. Creepin (David Dowling) is the morning line favourite in the class from post 2 while veteran pacer Eagle Jolt (Campbell) is another top entrant from post 5.
For race programs, live video and more go to the newly redesigned Redshores.ca.
By Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores