CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Live harness racing returns to the provincial capital after a short Governor's Plate Week hiatus on Thursday evening with a 6 P.M. start for an 11-dash card at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The evening feature has the top trotters going toe-to-toe in race 5 of the card for a $2,400 purse. Glider Man is relegated to the outside in the field of six after upsetting Freddie during Summerside's big race week and beating the top class the week previous.
Kenny Arsenault will drive Glider Man for co-owner and trainer Jennifer Doyle and co-owner Danny Birt of Earnescliffe. Freddie has a favourable post position this week as the veteran trotter leaves from post 2 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell after falling short in his latest as the post time favourite. The Majestic Son trotter will look for redemption and to add to his 63-lifetime wins. Rail control belongs to Maritime Champion Daisy River with Walter Cheverie in the bike while Jim Ripley is back in action from his Amherst, N.S., stable with Majian Tango from post 3.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac sides with Freddie for the top spot."Freddie has not been worse than second this year and draws inside those that look to be his main competition," MacIsaac said. "Other than the short price there's not much to dislike."Also in the Open trot field is Star Photo (To be driven by Jason Hughes) and Windemeredontuworry (Brodie MacPhee).
The top pace of the evening is in race 10 for a $2,350 purse with a field of seven aged pacing mares. Much Adoo has the post-position advantage with the rail for driver MacPhee, trainer Ron Matheson and owner Rollwithitharry Racing of Marshfield. The Classic Card Shark eight-year-old was a winner her last start in 1:58 at Red Shores Summerside. Other top entries are Miss Kabana (Vincent Poulton) and Collective Wisdom (Gilles Barrieau).
Catch the action live on the worldwide broadcast at Redshores.ca and wager online at HPIBet.com.
By Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores