CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The betting public's choices made front and trotted away in the first leg of the Island Ocean Trot Classic Thursday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The event was the first leg of the new series presented by JD Marine and Diving Inc. Daisy River won the first $3,950 bout as the post time favourite, with Jason Hughes at the controls of the Maritime Champion for owner-trainer William Lanigan of Montague stopping the clock in 1:58.4. Little Miss Winnie (Driven by Kenny Arsenault) was second while Osprey Delta (Paul Larrabee) was third.
Hop Up claimed the second division with a 2:00.2 front-end score for driver Corey MacPherson and owner-trainer Keith Campbell of Victoria West. Sailor Blue (Ken Murphy) grabbed second while Whim Road Gem (Jack Panting) recovered from a break to finish third.
Majian Tango had a mild upset in the $2,300 Open trot in 1:59.2 over Glider Man (Arsenault) and Windmeredontuworry (Norris Rogers). The winning horse is owned by Marylea Ripley of Amherst, N.S., with Jim Ripley handling the training and driving duties.
Trainer Ron Matheson had a training triple from his barn, all with Gilles Barrieau in the driver's seat. Thebossisagirl won race 9 in a time of 1:57.2 while Pacific Delight was victorious in race 3 in a maiden breaking score of 2:00.2. Much Adoo came later in the program to win in 1:58.2 for the combination of Matheson and Barrieau.
For more information go to Redshores.ca.
By Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores