The 2019 Atlantic Sires Stakes race season got underway on Friday evening at Truro Raceway, as the harness racing three-year-old pacing fillies had their season debut.
Trainer / Driver Marc Campbell dominated the opening round of Atlantic Sires Stakes action at Truro Raceway on Friday (May 31).
The hot-handed reinsman swept the two $10,220 'A' divisions for three-year-old pacing fillies with his own trainees Arc Light and Ma Rebelle.
Last of seven at the half, Arc Light circled her filly foes to take a new lifetime mark of 1:57.3 for Grayland Farm. The Camystic-Red Star Ashlee miss beat out Cheeky Cherry and Howmac Sabrina by three-quarters of a length.
Owned by Larry and Kathy Chappell, Ma Rebelle led all the way in her division and held off the pocket-pulling Im A Miracle by a head in career-best 1:56.4, with Woodmere Tango following less than a length behind in third. The Ameripan Gigolo-Briannas Attitude filly, who went winless last year but had eight top-three finishes from 11 starts, is now three-for-four to kick off her sophomore season.
In the $2,500 Atlantic Sires Stakes 'B' division, David Carey trainee Lady N Paradise upset American Bamstand in a close 1:59.4 mile under Dale Spence's guidance. Lady N Paradise is owned by David Carey, Craig Carey, and Ronald Garland.
Points earned in each Atlantic Sires Stakes 'A' division and trot event go towards securing a coveted spot in the season-ending Atlantic Breeders Crown Championships.
Breeding excellence
The Atlantic Sires Stakes program is sponsored by the Atlantic Standardbred Breeders Association (ASBA), which has been promoting the breeding of Standardbred horses in the Atlantic Provinces for over 50 years while providing incentives for people to buy and race horses in this region.
In the early 1960’s, a group of horsemen and track operators, spearheaded by the late Glen Kennedy of Prince Edward Island, saw the need for a program to enhance the Standardbred breeding industry in the Maritimes. A sires stakes program had been developed in New York State and the group felt a similar program would prove beneficial to this region.
History was made in February 1966 when the Maritime Provinces Colt Stakes Association Ltd. was formed with the sole purpose of setting up and promoting a series of stake events for Maritime-bred colts and fillies. The association drew its officers, directors and members from the ranks of those keenly interested in harness racing and the future development of the Maritime breeding industry.
In 1967 the first Atlantic Sires Stakes events were staged and purse monies for the year were worth an estimated $10,000—Canada’s first sires stakes program had begun!
Debbie Francis
Executive Director
Atlantic Standardbred Breeders Association