The 2017 Atlantic Sires Stakes season kicks into high gear with the two and three-year-old trotters meeting for the first time this season at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway on Tuesday (July 11) as part of Governor’s Plate week racing.

First race post time is 7 p.m. for the 12-dash card.

The Atlantic Sires Stakes for trotters is sponsored by Meridians Farms with the two-year-old trotters lining up in $6,240 divisions in races 1, 3 and 6.

Madonna was a sharp qualifying winner in 2:12.1 and makes her first lifetime start from post 4 in race 1 for driver Myles Heffernan, trainer Gerald MacDougall and owner Judy MacLeod of Cardigan.

Race 3 has another morning line favourite for Heffernan as he trains, drives and co-owns post 5 starter Ticked with co-owner and wife Jackie Heffernan of Summerville. The two-year-old son of Armbro Barrister demolished his qualifying field with a 12-length romp in 2:07.2 and will face five opponents in his career debut.

The final two-year-old Meridian Farms division in race 6 has a number of talented prospects with Buckaroo getting the nod as the classifier’s choice from post 2 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owners Larry and Kathy Chappell of Marshfield, PE.

The three-year-old trotters have divisions in races 2, 5 and 7 for $6,300 purses.

Pappy Go Go kicks off the three-year-old Atlantic Sires Stakes Meridian Farms action in race 2 with rail control for trainer-driver Campbell after taking a lifetime best of 2:00.2 in his lone 2017 start for owner Grayland Farm of Pugwash, N.S.

The field also includes Maritime Breeder’s Champion Wicked Nick with post 2 for driver Gary Chappell.

Mile Hill Mac rides a two-race win streak into the second division in race 5 for owner-trainer-driver Paul Morrison of Cardigan, while the final division has Hop Up installed as the morning line favourite from post 2 for catch driver Ken Murphy and owner-trainer Keith Campbell of Tyne Valley.

Check out redshores.ca for live video, race programs and promotional information.

(Red Shores)