Horse Racing New Brunswick will host a superb Saturday afternoon harness racing card at Exhibition Park Raceway in Saint John, N.B as the coveted Milton Downey stakes for two-year-olds take center stage.
Named in honour of Saint John businessman and racing pioneer, Milton Downey, the race will see a total of three divisions, two colt and one filly for a combined purse of close to $20,000.
First division in race three will see a colt part-owned by Saint John interests Gary Mott, and Robert Tilley. Steel Reefer, a two-time winner this season for Saint John Hall of Fame trainer/ driver Gilles Barrieau has drawn post one.
In six lifetime starts, the son of Steelhead Hanover has two-wins, three seconds and close to $ 17,000 in the bank. He has a record this season of 1:57.2 taken at Summerside Raceway. Wayne MacRae of Nova Scotia also owns a share of the colt.
He will be tested by the five entry Woodmere Alvin and the talented driver Redmond Doucet in the bike. He has shown consistency with five on the board finishes from seven starts, including a 1:59.1 victory.
Division two of the colts looks to be a battle of two more Steelhead Hanover colts and a colt by State Treasurer. Jason Hughes will pilot Justcallmedoc who has a charted line of 1:55.4 two starts back. Barrieau has post two with Dustylanegoliath who was second to sensational Woodmere Stealdeal in his last mile, charted in 1:56.4.
Rounding out the big three in division two is Saltwater Savage who has been a force to be reckoned with all season. He has four-wins from five starts, including a record of 1:56.4. Mark Bradley will pilot the top contender.
In the lone filly division, Need To Know from outside five and a red-hot Jason Hughes brings a solid resume to Saint John with three wins and three seconds in six starts. The daughter of Warawee Needy has a lifetime speed badge of 1:59.
Tobins Brownie is another one to watch for from the Jonah Moase stable who has a victory to her credit this year in 1:58.4. Woodmere Stella, from post one has the second highest earnings this season in the race and the Earl Smith pupil will have Gilles Barrieau in the sulky.
Saturday's big card also will see the Roddy Goguen Memorial Pace that is slated as the finale of the afternoon. Gold Cup and Saucer finalist and local entry Father Ofthe Year is the morning line favourite and has paced both of his last two miles in the 1:53 change.
Horse Racing New Brunswick would like to extend their gratitude to all of the horsemen and women who are shipping in for the afternoon of racing and welcome fans back to the track after a brief hiatus to allow local entries to take part in other cards in the Maritimes.
Post time is 1:00 P.M at the Saint John oval with wagering available in Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton and through HPIBet on-line.
by Scott Waddell, for HRNB