The post draw was not in his favour, but on Friday night (June 12) Silver Beast will take to the track in his east coast debut at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
First-race post time for the 10-dash program will be at 6:00 p.m. In addition to being able to bet online, wagering will also be available via the special drive-in trackside patio venue from noon to 4 p.m. for live and simulcast racing.
The monster in the $2,000 evening finale is Silver Beast, who has shipped into the Brittany Watts Stable for new owner Island Silver Stables of Kelvin Grove. David Dowling will drive the talented four-year-old son of Betterthancheddar. Prior to the move east, Silver Beast had been racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ont. and had been pacing miles in 1:53-1:54 for former trainer Corey Giles. Silver Beast will have to overcome a Post 7 assignment in his island debut if he plans on notching his sixth career victory. Messier Seelster (to be driven by Marc Campbell) and Howmac Magic (Corey MacPherson) figure to be Silver Beast's toughest rivals in the field of eight.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac sees the Friday finale as Silver Beast’s race to lose. “Silver Beast didn't get any favours at the draw for his local debut, but judging by his lines, it might not matter,” MacIsaac said. “He is clearly the one to beat.”
The $2,850 Preferred 2 Pace (Race 9) is the featured event on the program, and Creepin, who also hails from the Brittany Watts stable, has been installed as the morning line choice. Dowling will also steer Creepin for Watts and owners James and Alex Quinn and Carl Peterson. The six-year-old son of Mach Three is fresh off of a third-place finish in the top preferred class in his seasonal debut. Other top entries are Rockin Indy (Brodie MacPhee) and Winter Blast (Jason Hughes).
The top trotters on Canada's eastern seaboard will also tussle in three classes during the Friday card. Race 2 will feature a field of trotting mares vying for a $2,400 purse; and Open class stalwart Hop Up (MacPherson), who will start from Post 3, is the classifier’s choice. The horses' and geldings' trot (Race 4) also carries a $2,400 purse. The race appears as though it will be a battle between the outside trio of Star Photo (Hughes), Freddie (Campbell) and newcomer Glider Man (Kenny Arsenault).
Catch all the action live at redshores.ca and wager online at HPIbet.com.
To view the harness racing entries for Friday at the CDP, click the following link: Friday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)