CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – All good things must come to an end and such was the case with Sock It Away Saturday afternoon when his harness racing win streak was snapped at 18 at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Czar Seelster controlled the front end in the $2,650 preferred pace at the capital oval and was able to fight off the first-over advance of the undefeated Sock It Away in 1:57.2 over a track rated two-seconds off. Kenny Arsenault sent Czar Seelster the lead through splits of 29.3, 59.1 and 1:28.1 with Sock It Away (Driven by Marc Campbell) head-to-head with him at that third panel. Sock It Away cleared to the front late in the mile but the veteran Czar Seelster battled back to win by a neck and hand Sock It Away his first loss of his three-year-old season. Winter Blast (Jason Hughes) rounded out the triactor. Czar Seelster is owned by Tammy Johnston of Stratford, P.E.I., with Todd Weatherbee handling the training duties.
Arsenault scored five wins on the Saturday afternoon card as the seasoned pilot clicked with The Big Bite in 2:01.2 for Thane Arsenault of Charlottetown, Toad River in 2:01.4 for Barry Folland of Cape Traverse, Burn Out Hanover in 2:00.4 for Jeff Holmes of Orwell and Traces Of Purple in 2:01.2 for Robert Phillips of Belfast, P.E.I.
Killean Finale captured the $2,350 fillies and mares open pace with a 1:59.4 score over Prettyndangerous (David Dowling) and Collective Wisdom (Drew Neill). Ken Murphy drove Killean Finale for trainer Clifford Murphy and owners Dr. Mary McNiven and Pacemaker Stable of Nine Mile Creek, P.E.I.
For race replays and more go to www.Redshores.ca.
By Nicholas Oakes For Red Shores