Forever Paradise had complete control of the Friday night feature as soon as the wings folded at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
Corey MacPherson sent the son of Western Paradise to the front through fractions of :30, :59.4 and 1:29.1 before unleashing a 28 second closing quarter for a mile time of 1:57.1 in the $2,200 Preferred Pace. Nogreatmischief (driven by Walter Cheverie) finished second with Ultimatelyhandsome (Kenny Arsenault) third. Kevin MacLean trains Forever Paradise for P.E.I. owners Reg MacPherson and David MacKenzie of Stratford and Aaron MacKenzie of Winsloe.
Old Buck used a hard first-over move to overpower the $1,900 back-up pace on the special Friday evening card. Sitting fifth approaching the backstretch on the final lap, driver Jason Hughes tipped the son of Ameripan Gigolo to the outside with nothing but fresh air in front of him. Old Buck responded to his uncovered advance to defeat pacesetter Darth Bader (Norris Rogers), who ended up third, with Capitalism (Adam Merner) getting in the middle of the triactor. The time of the mile was 1:57.2.
New owner Braedon McKenna had the first win of his career as a horse owner with newcomer Culpepper as part of a driving double for driver Hughes. Kristina McCourt of Kensington, P.E.I. co-owns and trains the seven-year-old grey son of Camluck as he was a 1:57.2 victor in his East Coast debut.
Driving doubles were also accomplished by drivers Merner, MacPherson and Mike McGuigan.
Live racing continues at Red Shores with a Saturday evening card at 6 p.m. at the Charlottetown Driving Park and Sunday at 1 p.m. in Summerside.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Summerside Raceway.
(With files from Red Shores)