Harness racing in Canada resumed activity for the first time in more than two months as Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park conducted qualifying races on Saturday (May 23).
Nine qualifiers were carded on Saturday afternoon under strict COVID-19 protocols as outlined by Red Shores and the PEI Harness Racing Industry Association.
After spending the last 18 months in Ontario, former Atlantic Sires Stakes standout Windmeredontuworry was the first successful qualifier of the new 2020 season. With trainer Norris Rogers at the controls for owner Eric Johnston of Summerside P.E.I., the five-year-old son of Armbro Barrister - Ginternal Revenue was a wire-to-wire winner in 2:02.2. The trotter was 16 lengths better than his closest counterpart and looks poised to add to his $56,498 bankroll once racing resumes in early June.
The fastest mile of the nine-race session came from older pacer Best To Hurst, stopping the clock in 1:57.4 for trainer Jonah Moase and driver Marc Campbell. The seven-year-old son of Cambest was a seven-time winner in 2019 and looks to factor in the Open class at both Red Shores Charlottetown and Summerside this season for owners Neal Moase, Roger Burns and Windemere Farms.
Qualifiers will continue at Red Shores next on Thursday, May 28 before qualifying sessions next Saturday (May 30) and Sunday (May 31). The first card of live harness racing is slated for Thursday, June 4.
To view the results from Saturday's qualifying session, click the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park (Qualifiers).