CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The 2016 season has seem quite possibly the best trotters in the history of Atlantic Canadian Harness Racing and those trotting stars take to the track again Thursday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
First race post time is 6:30 PM for the 12-dash program with Frill Seeker attempting to remain atop the roost of the Open Trot class in race 6.
Frill Seeker has drawn post 4 in the $1,950 contest with trainer Kenny Arsenault handling the driving duties, against his five horses and geldings competitors, for owner Ebbsfleet Stable of Ontario.
The Angus Hall eight-year-old was a dominant winner in his latest race with a 1:58.3 mile, meaning his rivals need to step up their game to defeat him. Wedgewood was the runner-up in that contest with Gary Chappell again picking up the lines from post 2, while Professor Gordon, who was a force earlier in the season, makes his return to pari-mutuel racing with Vincent Poulton from post 1 after the trotter had equipment problems in his last start on June 16.
Other entries include Neal (Brian Andrew), Majian Dillon (Jim Ripley), and Diamond Mine (Willie Murphy).
Race 8 will feature the Open Mares trot class for a $1,950 pot with Osprey Impact earning morning line respect fresh off a 1:59.4 victory in last week's Mares Open for driver Walter Cheverie and owner-trainer Paul Larrabee of Belle River.
The Federal Flex mare has drawn the rail position but has no slouches to her outside as Red Shores Charlottetown and Summerside track record holder Thunderaway leaves from post 2 for Jason Hughes and Pleasue Girls has post 3 with Adam Merner in the bike as she makes her second start back on the East Coast after a productive winter at Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ontario. Tyne Valley (Mark Bradley), Holy Molie Maggie (Corey MacPherson) and Paymenowpaymelater (Gilles Barrieau) round out the field of six.
The evening featured pace is in race 11 with Starcastic looking for redemption from post 4 for driver Ron Matheson, trainer Jackie Matheson and owners Bobbi Jo Gaudet of Charlottetown and Billy MacKenzie of Stratford. In his latest, Starcastic made a break at the start but even with loads of work to do he responded with his last three quarters in 1:26 flat to only be beaten a little over a length by Bazillion – who draws post 2 in this week's Thursday night feature.
For entries, results and live broadcast go to www.redshores.ca
By Nicholas Oakes for Red Shores