CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – A field of pacing harness racing heavyweights will face off Saturday evening in the featured preferred pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 10-dash Saturday card kicks off at 6 P.M. with the $3,200 preferred pace lining up in race 9. Red Shores will again offer driver-in wagering for Saturday's card on the patio of Red Shores Charlottetown from 12-4 P.M.
Avatar J headlines the compact field of six preferred pacers as the Ontario ship-in leaves from post position 4. The talented six-year-old son of American Ideal moves into the Danny MacDonald stable for owners Dean Larkin of Edwards, Ont., and Jody Sanderson of Cornwall with Jason Hughes picking up the catch driving assignment. The winner of $170,000 lifetime is fresh off a 1:56.1 qualifying victory at the capital oval.
Screen Test was much the best in last week's preferred but will leave on the grandstand side of his foes on Saturday for driver Corey MacPherson and trainer Ronnie Gass. Governor's Plate champion Rose Run Quest has post 5 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell as the pacer looks for redemption after falling short as last week's favourite.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac sides with Avatar J for the top piece of his ticket.
"Avatar J barely broke a sweat in the qualifier with opening and closing panels in 28 and change," MacIsaac said. "You would have to think he can only be better tonight and if that's the case there could be nothing to stand in his way." Other preferred pace entries are Mantario (To be driven by Kenny Arsenault), Soccer Hanover (Adam Merner) and Beyondthesilence N (Chris Davies).
The evening finale will see the return of two of the top rookie pacing colts of the 2019 season as Tobins Rebel and Windemere Ryan make their first starts of their three-year-old campaigns. Tobins Rebel has rail control in the $2,200 class as MacPherson will hold the lines in place of trainer Gilles Barrieau for owner Daniel Ross of Belfast. Atlantic Breeder's Crown champion Windemere Ryan will leave from post 3 with Adam Merner in the race bike for trainer Melissa Rennie and owner High Five Racing Stable of Stanhope.
For race programs, live video and more go to Redshores.ca and go to HPIbet.com to wager live from home.
By Nicholas Oakes For Red Shores