SUMMERSIDE, PE – The 2015 driving crown went to Walter Cheverie Sunday afternoon as the racing season came to a close at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
Cheverie, who had a three win lead heading into the day, was hard fought for the title, as defending champion Jason Hughes had three wins on the day while Cheverie has just one visit to the winner’s circle.
Cheverie captured the Isabelle and Ivan Cameron Memorial pace with Dale Sobey trainee Lucky Encounter in 2:01.3 on a track listed two seconds off for strong winds. Jeff Ferrish of Summerside owns the pacer.
Hughes’ driving triple was also a training triple, as he won top trainer at the Prince County Oval for his second straight year. Hughes scored with Beckenbauer in 1:58.2, Silverhill Blaze in 2:01.3 and Stayoutofmyaffair in 2:00.4.
The afternoon $2,200 top class saw a major upset as Sendmeasign was a winner in 2:00.4 at 23-1 odds with Kenny Arsenault in the bike for owner-trainer Alex Sobey. Outside The Wire (Brian MacPhee) was second with Painted Desert (Mark Bradley) third.
PC Shockwave captured the Garth Schurman Memorial in 2:03.4 with trainer Wade Sorrie in the bike for owner Scott MacPhail of Charlottetown.
Terry Gallant had a driving triple and a training double on the card, while driving doubles went to Mike McGuigan and Gary Chappell. Trainer Dana Sweet had two wins on the program.
Forever Paradise upsets at Charlottetown
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Playing some hard ball early in the mile paid off Forever Paradise Saturday afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The five-year-old son of Western Paradise and driver Marc Campbell strung race favourite Clic K (Ron Matheson) to the quarter in 27.1 before releasing him to a 56.1 half. All Turain (Wade Sorrie) came calling at the three-quarters in 1:25.4, gaining the lead into the stretch before Forever Paradise flipped out of the pocket for the two-length victory in 1:55.3. All Turain finished second with Clic K third. Kevin MacLean trains Forever Paradise for owners Reg MacPherson and David MacKenzie of Stratford and Aaron MacKenzie of Winsloe.
Sam gave driver Jason Hughes win number 1,000 of his driving career with a 1:57.2 victory for owner Foxyhall Racing of Wallace, N.S. Hughes sits in second place among drivers in Charlottetown with 94 wins on the season, behind leader Campbell, who had two wins on the day, at 99.
Driver Mark Bradley claimed the early daily double winning with a Fiesty X Ample in 2:01.2 for Racing 4 Island Charities of Charlottetown and Wynnfrith in 2:02.4 for owner Buntainwood Farm of Brackley Beach.
Best Risque won the Open Mares pace in 1:58.1 for trainer Brian Ladner, who co-owner with Lillian and Kevin Ladner, all of Charlottetown. Hughes was in the bike for the win, which was one of three on the day.
Holy Molie Maggie won the $1,950 Open trot in 2:01.1 for driver Gary Chappell and owner-trainer Jeff Holmes of Orwell.
Live racing returns to Red Shores Charlottetown next weekend with cards scheduled for Saturday and Sunday afternoons with a 12:30 PM post time.
By Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores