CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The top stakes trotters on the east coast will battle again this Thursday at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park as P.E.I. colts stake action hits the capital oval.
First race post time is 7 pm for the 13-dash card with the three-year-old trotters battling in two $5,150 divisions in races 3 and 7 while the two-year-old trotters line up in a pair of $5,200 contests in races 5 and 9.
The three-year-old trot fillies in race 3 has a field of five vying for the top prize in the P.E.I. Colt Stakes division with Paymenowpaymelater the morning line choice from post 3 for driver Marc Campbell, trainer Earl Watts and owner Wade Peconi of Stanchel. The Northern Bailey filly captured her Lady Slipper division last week in a new career best of 2:01 and will face Sweetwater Rayne (Jack Panting) and Tyne Valley (Mike Stevenson) this week.
Race 7 has a rematch from last week in the seven-horse three-year-old trotting colt division, as JK Blaze leaves from post 2 for driver Walter Cheverie and owner-trainer Joe Smallwood of Stratford, while Phoenician leaves off the rail for driver Jason Hughes and owner Buntainwood Farm of Brackley Beach.
The two-year-old trot divisions of the P.E.I. Colt Stakes get underway in race 5 as Time Warp has rail control for trainer-driver Danny MacDonald and owners Boyd MacDonald Produce of Crapaud, Daniel Ross of Belfast, William Andrew of Calgary and Brian Andrew of Milton. The Neal filly will face off with Howmac Gypsy (Panting) and Unsinkable One (Corey MacPherson) for top honours in the field of seven.
The final P.E.I. Colt Stakes division on the evening has the undefeated High Bid leaving from post 4 for driver Cheverie and owner-trainer Smallwood while his main threat comes from post 6 starter Da Master with Campbell in the bike for trainer Thane Mann and owner Eric Johnston of Summerside. The $5,200 division has a field of eight two-year-old trotting colts.
The evening pacing feature lines up in race 13 for a $1,900 purse with The Big Bite pegged as the one to beat from the outside post 8 with Stevenson in the bike for trainer Thane Arsenault and owners Jack Arsenault, Donna McIver, Edward Blaisdell and Deborah Wilson.
The evening also features the UPEI Panther's Night at The Track. Fans will have a chance to meet the players and get details on their exciting packages for the upcoming season. Some players will be teaming with horses and drivers on the first two races on the program.
By Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores