A total of 15 horses have been entered to compete in the 61st edition of the 2020 Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer, with trials slated for Saturday and Monday at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The live draw took place on Tuesday (August 11) at Charlottetown Driving Park.
The 2020 edition will be the 61st running of one of the greatest shows in harness racing, the Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer, with trials held on Saturday (August 15) and Monday (August 17) leading up to the Final on Saturday, August 22. Many restrictions and guidelines will be in place due to COVID-19 but the horses will be ready to compete.
The $12,500 trials consist of eight- and seven-horse fields, with the eight-horse field to be contested on Saturday and the seven-horse field slated for Monday.
The first trial looks to be a wide-open affair. Euchred has been terrorizing tracks in Cape Breton as of late, winning his last three starts against Winners Over company by a combined margin of more than 35 lengths for owner Kayla Habicht Walker of Inverness, N.S. The Walter Walker trainee returns to Prince Edward Island for the first time since mid-July, where he finished second as the beaten favourite in the Governor's Plate Consolation at Red Shores Summerside.
Avatar J made a break in most recent start but he boasts the most seasonal wins (seven) and seasonal earnings ($37,044) in the field. He matched the Summerside track record for older pacing horses earlier this year with a 1:53 mile in his Governor's Plate elimination. Drawing the eight-hole in the Final, He finished fourth, but he's drawn slightly better here for trainer Danny MacDonald and co-owners Dean Larkin and Jody Sanderson with post six.
Monday's trial features Casimir Richie P, who ships into the Maritimes from his Ontario base for trainer/owner Dr. Ian Moore and co-owner Michael Goldberg. The five-year-old son of Astronomical - Casimir Hugs has raced most recently in the Preferred ranks at Woodbine Mohawk Park, finishing in the top three 80 percent of the time during that stretch, while not missing a cheque in his eight seasonal starts.
Yankee Osborne made headlines with his all-age track record at Truro Raceway in the 2020 Lindsay Construction Cup Invitational on July 18 for driver Neil MacInnis, trainer Ross MacInnis and owner Sarah Jane Stables of Mono, Ont. The five-year-old Yankee Cruiser gelding tuned up for the Gold Cup & Saucer with a fourth-place finish in a Preferred event on August 1 at Charlottetown, facing many of these rivals.
Could the third time be the charm for local hopeful Rose Run Quest? Entering the Gold Cup & Saucer trials for the third time in 2020 -- finishing third in the 2018 Final and not qualifying for the Final in 2019 -- the Marc Campbell-trained eight-year-old is as consistent as ever, sporting a 2-3-3 summary in eight seasonal starts for owner Blair Hansen of Charlottetown.
Saturday - Trial 1
1. Father Ofthe Year
2. Time To Dance
3. Simple Kinda Man
4. Best To Hurst
5. Screen Test
6. Avatar J
7. Euchred
8. Freddy Bear
Monday - Trial 2
1. Yankee Osborne
2. Woodmere Ideal Art
3. Casimir Richie P
4. Lisburn
5. J J Powerball
6. Mach It Again
7. Rose Run Quest
Through the generous support of several Prince Edward Island businesses, all horses participating in the Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer Trials will be offered the following to their ownership teams.
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The Nomination and Starting Fees ($800 total) have been waived
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Complimentary Table of 4 in the acclaimed Top of The Park at Red Shores for either the Gold Cup and Saucer Final or James 'Roach' MacGregor Gold Cup and Saucer Consolation (whichever applicable).
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A complimentary Confederation Bridge Pass
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$50 Gas Card
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Complimentary Golf Passes for 2
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Complimentary Gift Card from Old Dublin Pub
In addition, all Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer Final starters receive an invitation to the Gold Cup and Saucer Reception on Friday, August 21 as well as a specialized Gold Cup and Saucer jacket for all Drivers in the Final and other gifts.
A Lasix program is in place for horses that require the program, and a reminder that the Standardbred Canada MVP Program has a link for discounted offers.