Three-year-old colts and geldings were featured in the Atlantic Sires Stakes on Friday at Red Shores Summerside with last year's divisional champion back in the spotlight.
Tobins Fusion, under command of Gilles Barrieau, took the first $9,420 "A" division with a comfortable eight length score in 1:58.2. The colt is owned by Boyd MacDonald Prodce Ltd. of Crapaud, P.E.I., Dan Ross of Belfast, P.E.I. and Charles Seymour of Fredericton, N.B. Wendell Williams of Ellerslie, P.E.I. bred the son of Western Paradise, who picked up his second win of the year in seven starts.
The next split was won by 2013 Atlantic Breeders Crown champion Dumas Walker and trainer/co-owner Myles Heffernan in 1:58 flat by a quarter-length over Rancousy and Hollywoodgigolo. Jackie Heffernan of Glace Bay, N.S. also shares ownership on the son of Western Success, who streaked to his second stakes win in a row. The gelding is now four-for-seven on the year. He was bred by David Walker of Charlottetown and Paul Walker of Summerville, P.E.I.
Trainer Earl Smith sent Touch Of Thunder to the front and held off a late surge from Just A Professer to win his "A" division in 1:58.1 by three-quarters of a length for P.E.I. owners Peter Smith of Charlottetown, Donald Smith of Pownal, Gerald Morrissey and Larry Chappell of Marshfield. Touch Of Thunder, now three-for-eight this year, earned his second ATSS victory of the season. The Articulator colt was bred by J. Gregory MacKenzie of Scotsburn, N.S.
The $2,500 "B" divisions were won by Dusty Lane Diego and owner/trainer Gary Chappell in 2:01.2, My Kinda Crazy for driver/trainer Mark Bradley and the Kickin Horse Stable, and Tobins Delight in 2:01 with Brian MacPhee, who had a driving double on the card, for trainer Ambyr Campbell and owner Michael Biggar.
In other action, Blue Meadow Willie, locally owned by Bob and Brenda McInnis, recorded the fastest mile of the night in a sparkling 1:55 for driver Walter Cheverie.
Newcomer Frill Seeker romped in the trot class with an impressive 1:59.2 victory, shaving one-fifth of a second off Abundaspin's track record for older trotters. Kenny Arsenault did the driving for Ebbsfleet Stables of Stratford, Ont.
Bad Date won the Bud Ramsay Memorial with driver Jason Hughes in 1:58.2 for owner/trainer Harold Hill of Breadalbane, P.E.I.
Gary Chappell notched a driving double as he edges closer to 2,500 career victories in the bike. Chappell will drive Red Rock in the 46th running of the Governor’s Plate on Saturday.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Summerside Raceway.
(With files from Red Shores)