CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The saying goes that it all comes down to the Breeder's Crown and it was a record equalling harness racing performance in less than ideal conditions for Woodmere Stealdeal on championship Sunday at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Marc Campbell hustled Woodmere Stealdeal sharply to the lead in the $21,000 Atlantic Breeder's Crown two-year-old pacing colt final, presented by Cavendish Farms, and kept driving to a 1:54.1 Atlantic record equalling performance over a track listed with a one second variant. Danny Romo trains the champion son of Steelhead Hanover as the horse won his 12th straight in his undefeated career for owners Kevin Dorey and Robert Sumarah of Nova Scotia. The win equalled Bettim Again's track and Atlantic record for two-year-old pacing colts set in September in the P.E.I. Colt Stakes.
The other $21,000 Cavendish Farms Atlantic Breeder's Crown pacing events saw driver David Dowling dominate winning three finals. Woodmere Skyroller recorded her fourth straight win in the three-year-old pacing filly final in 1:56.3 for trainer Kevin MacLean and owner Reg MacPherson of Stratford. Dowling was in the driver's seat of the Rollwithitharry filly.
The $21,000 Atlantic Breeder's Crown three-year-old pacing colt final was a front end victory for Windemere Frank in 1:57.2 with Dowling at the controls of the Earl Watts trainee for owners Debbie Denney of Nova Scotia and Hollis Newson of Cornwall.
Tobins Brownie gave conditioner Jonah Moase, 24, his first Atlantic Breeder's Crown trophy in the two-year-old pacing filly final in 1:57.3 for the Stonebridge Terror filly's sixth straight win. Dowling was in the race bike for owners James Quinn of York, Carl Peterson of Hunter River and Amy Lakie of Greenfield.
Tequila Tuesday found the wire first in the $10,000 Atlantic Breeder's Crown three-year-old trot final sponsored by Meridian Farms and the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association. Myles Heffernan Sr., engineered the 2:00.4 victory for trainer Myles Heffernan Jr., and owner Jackie Heffernan of Summerville.
Mr Finlay Ridge reached up in the final strides in the two-year-old trot final to win in 2:04.1 for trainer-driver and co-owner Clare MacDonald and co-owners Arnold Rankin and Ian Tate of Nova Scotia.
There has been no touching Time To Dance since The Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer trials and he delivered again Sunday in the $7,000 Invitational pace with a five-length win in 1:53.4 for trainer-driver Campbell and owners Brent Campbell of Charlottetown and Matt McDonald of Ontario.
Daisy River prevailed in the stretch drive in the $11,600 Island Ocean Trot Classic final for aged trot mares, sponsored by JD Marine and Diving, with a 1:59.1 victory. Jason Hughes drove the Nikes Image mare for owner-trainer William Lanigan of Montague.
Total wager was $82,682
For race replays and more go to Redshores.ca.
By Nicholas Oakes