CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – A pair of win streaks will collide as the top harness racing pacers in Eastern Canada meet Saturday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 12-dash program gets underway at 6 P.M. at the Capital oval with the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association Invitational lining up in race 12 for a $4,000 purse.
Gold Cup and Saucer finalist Lisburn has rail control in the field of seven as he sits on two straight wins in preferred action for trainer-driver Kenny Arsenault and owner Kevin Harvey of Hammonds Plains, N.S. The four-year-old son of Rocknroll Heaven has yet to miss the board in Atlantic Canada this season including an open length win in 1:53.3 his last time out.
Euchred scorched the Truro Raceway in identical time last week in the Johnny Conroy Memorial Invitational but will have to overcome post 7 this week to find the winner's circle and extend his win streak to four straight. Trainer Walter Walker of Inverness, N.S., will entrust the driving duties to Mike McGuigan on Saturday evening.
Woodmere Ideal Art was a runner-up to Euchred last week and has post 5 in Saturday's class with David Dowling in the race bike for Sifroi Melanson of Greater Lakeburn, N.B. Top Island pacer Rose Run Quest is also in the field for trainer-driver Marc Campbell as the son of If I Can Dream boasts four straight top-three finishes.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac sees rail control as sealing the deal for Lisburn to find the winner's circle.
"Lisburn dominated his last two races from start to finish and with him landing on the pylons tonight we'll likely be looking at the same scenario," MacIsaac said. "Other than the short price there's not much to dislike."
Also in the field is Burn Out Hanover (Driven by Corey MacPherson), Bugsy Maguire (Jason Hughes) and Nogreatmischief (Walter Cheverie).
Sodwana Bay will look continue her Fillies and Mares Open pace domination in race 9 of the program for a $2,750 purse. Dale Spence picks up the catch driving assignment from trainer Gilles Barrieau, who is competing in stakes action in Nova Scotia.
With four straight wins on her card, Sodwana Bay's six rivals will have their hands full Saturday evening. Some top entries in that class include Jordies Hope (Arsenault) and Traces Of Purple (Campbell).
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JJ Powerball Takes On Sunday's Best
SUMMERSIDE, PE – A field of hard hitting pacers will convene Sunday afternoon and a horse fresh out of Invitational action is pegged as the one to beat Sunday afternoon at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
The 12-dash Sunday afternoon presentation kicks off at 1 P.M. with the $2,600 top class assembling in the finale. JJ Powerball last competed in the Johnny Conroy Memorial Invitational at Truro Raceway in Bible Hill, N.S., finishing fourth while pacing in 1:54.3 for trainer Wade Sorrie.
That mile puts the target squarely on his back as the top pick but he has his work cut out for him from post 7. Dale Spence will do the driving on Sunday as the son of Image Of Dawn looks for his 12th lifetime win for owners Austin Sorrie of Ontario and Tammy Collings of Hazel Brook.
Mando Fun has rail control in the top event with Gilles Barrieau in the bike for co-owner and trainer Paul Biggar of Tyne Valley and co-owner Donald Callbeck of Kensington. Best To Hurst has post 2 with Walter Cheverie driving for trainer Earl Watts while former top class winner Phil Dorleans (Jason Hughes) leaves from post 3. Dangle Ona Dime (Corey MacPherson) has post 4 with Soccer Hanover (John Davidson) lining up from post 5.
Heartland Eclipse cut out all the action last week and had to settle for a minor share. He gets leading driver David Dowling in the bike on Sunday from post 6. The far outside post 8 belongs to Red Magician with Adam Merner in the bike for trainer Melissa Rennie.
The afternoon back-up pace hits the track in race 9 with Ramset the top pick in the $2,300 class for combination of driver Dowling and Red Shores Summerside leading trainer Elton Millar. The Rambaran pacer was a second place finisher his last time out for owners Ryan and Everett MacLeod of Souris. Other top entries include Heart And Soul (Cheverie) and Mantario (Norris Rogers).
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By Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores