Winter Blast acquired the lead early and never let it go in the Thursday night feature at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Jason Hughes supplied the winning steer from post 1 in the $2,100 featured event stopping the clock in 1:56.1. Winter Blast is trained by Jennifer Doyle for owner Danny Birt of Stratford. The grey son of Sand Shooter left from the rail and cut the mile with fractions of 29.1, 58.3 and 1:27.1 before cruising to a three-and-three-quarter length win over Tobinator (Driven by Corey MacPherson) and Confident Fella (Marc Campbell).

It was a career moment for 18-year-old driver Austin Sorrie as he captured his first lifetime victory aboard Thebestofme from his own stable in 2:02.1.

Thebestofme is owned by Megan Lewis of St. Peter’s Bay and Mallory Lewis of Sherwood.

Campbell had a trio of trips to the winner’s circle extending his lead over the Red Shores Charlottetown driving standings at 18 wins so far in 2018. Campbell won with Keepcalmdanceon in 2:00.1 from his own stable, Maybeitsmaybelline in 1:59.3 for trainer Tom Weatherbie of Charlottetown and Izzies Angel in 2:00.2 for Terry Gallant of Summerside.

Julep Hanover posted an upset in the top mares’ pace of the evening, winning the $2,000 class at 11-1 odds. Wade Myers of Charlottetown owns, trains and drives the nine-year-old daughter of Western Ideal. Time of the mile was 1:59.2 with second going to One Hot Camshaft (Ken Murphy) with Brodys Leona (MacPherson) third.

For more information including race replays go to www.Redshores.ca. Live racing continues Saturday evening at 6 p.m. at Red Shores Charlottetown.

(CDP)

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Charlottetown Driving Park.