CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – With a drop out of Invitational company, Burn Out Hanover will have the target square on his back as the one to beat in the Thursday evening harness racing feature at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 12-dash Thursday card gets underway at 6:30 P.M. with Gilles Barrieau picking up the drive on Burn Out Hanover in the race 11 $2,700 preferred 2 pace. The Jeff Holmes trained pacer, who has not missed a cheque since July, will leave from post 2 in the field of seven for owner Orwell Bay Stable of Orwell.
Screen Test was a winner in 1:56 his last start and will get post 3 to work from this week for driver Corey MacPherson and trainer Stephen Gass. Rail control belongs to JJ Powerball with Marc Campbell picking up the catch driving call for trainer Wade Sorrie.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac sides with Burn Out Hanover to earn the top prize.
"Burn Out Hanover has been keeping company with the bearcats in recent starts and while he hasn't been able to crack the top three, he never missed a cheque," MacIsaac said. "With a slight drop tonight there could be nothing to stand in his way."
Also in the field is Jeb (Driven by Jason Hughes), Best To Hurst (Walter Cheverie), Tobinator (Ken Murphy) and Red Magician (Adam Merner).
The Andy Butler Memorial trot lines up in race 5 of the program with Majian Chester the top choice with Gordie Hennessey in the seat for trainer Jim Ripley and owner Marylea Ripley of Amherst, N.S. Other top entries in the $1,750 class include Sailor Blue with Murphy in the bike and Wedgewood leaving from post 4 with Gary Chappell, who just celebrated driving win number 2,800 of his career, in the bike.
Mrs Dragonfire makes her Island debut in the $1,900 race 12 finale. David Dowling will drive the new acquisition of owner-trainer Reg Ferguson from post 8 in the field of pacing mares. A four-year-old daughter of Dragon Again, Mrs Dragonfire boasts seven lifetime wins and $35,391 in career earnings.
For race programs, live video and more go to www.Redshores.ca.
By Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores