Astronomical wired the field of nine to claim the top prize in the $20,000 Gold Cup & Saucer consolation, dubbed the James "Roach" MacGregor Memorial, which was featured on the Friday evening program of racing at Charlottetown Driving Park
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With Kenny Arsenault in the bike, the favoured son of Astreos-Hey Girl cruised through splits of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:26.1 before sprinting home in :27.3 for the victory. Astronomical stopped the clock in 1:53.4 finishing two and a half lengths ahead of the pocket-sitter, Mighty And Strong (Gilles Barrieau). Outlawpositivcharg (Terry Gallant) journeyed first-over to finish third.
The seven-year-old bay won for the sixth time in eight starts this year and lifted his earnings to $23,225. Astronomical's 41st lifetime score lifted his bankroll to $778,183 for Dr. Ian Moore, who trains and shares ownership with William Shearer of Brookfield, N.S. and R G McGroup Ltd. of Bathurst, N.B.
In the first of two $12,000 Lady Slipper Gold Stakes divisions, R Es Mary and trainer/driver Earl Smith rolled off the gate from Post 4 and put up panels of :28.3, :57.2 and 1:27.4 before holding off the favoured pocket-sitter, Woodmere Humdinger (Gilles Barrieau), by half a length for the victory in a career-best 1:56.4. Longshot Island Quick Cash (Mike Stevenson) rounded out the top three.
The N Xample-Kona Queen filly now sports a seasonal record reading 3-5-2 in 11 starts with $32,677 earned for owners Peter Smith and Larry Chappell of Charlottetown, Donald Smith of Pownal and Gerald Morrissey of Orwell Cove, P.E.I. R Es Mary has won five times in her career and banked a total of $63,582.
In division No. 2, favourite Darko left from Post 2 under the guidance of Kenny Arsenault and carved out fractions of :29.1, :59.1 and 1:29.2 en route to a one-length score in 1:57.4 over Elleofnxample (Clare MacDonald). Tammys Little Star (Jason Hughes) finished third.
Trained and owned by Ralph Annear, the daughter of Largo-Norwell Lilyharbor notched her fifth win in nine outings this year lifting her earnings to $25,542. Darko, an 11-time career winner, has a bankroll totaling $82,040.
The matinee program on Friday featured three $5,800 Lady Slipper Grassroot Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies and the favourites did not disappoint. R Es Miss Mcardle and trainer/driver Allan Earl Smith captured the first division in 1:58 in wire-to-wire fashion. Papas Little Rose also front-stepped her way to a 2:00.2 victory in the next split for driver Ryan Campbell and trainer Ron Seymour, Jr. while N Xample Deal turned in the fastest clocking when she paced home in 1:56.2 to win by nearly six lengths for driver Anthony MacDonald and trainer Hughie Murphy.
To view Friday’s harness racing results, click here.