After having posted mild upsets in the Charlottetown Driving Park’s last two Open Trots, Majian Tango will have the target on his back for his third attempt, which will come Thursday evening (August 1) at the CDP.

The 12-dash Thursday card will get underway at 6:30 p.m. and the $2,250 Open Trot will line up for Race 8.

Ever since Star Photo’s emergence, the rivalry has been between himself and Freddie, but Majian Tango has added another layer to the class, seeing as though he bested the duo in the last two editions. Majian Tango has now been handicapped to the outside Post 5 for the Thursday tilt, and Jim Ripley will be back in the bike for owner Marylea Ripley of Amherst, NS. The five-year-old son of Tad The Stud has yet to miss the triactor ticket through eight starts this season.

Freddie, who is Red Shores’ trotting track record holder, will start from Post 4 and will be in line to Marc Campbell, Star Photo and pilot Jason Hughes will start from Post 3.

Race analyst Les MacIsaac is siding with Majian Tango for the top spot again this week.

“Majian Tango kicked home in :28 and change to win his last two, and, with his rallying style, these short fields are proving to be right up his alley,” MacIsaac said. “Don’t rule out a threepeat.”

The field will also include Suicide Shift (to be driven by Steven Shepherd) and Frill Seeker (Kenny Arsenault).

Goodmorning Ky will start from Post 1 in the top pace of the evening (Race 11) and Ken Murphy will be in the bike for trainer Frank Banks of Summerside. The $2,200 contest will also feature Outrageous Spirit (Gordie Hennessey) and Miss Sangria (Adam Merner).

The program’s final race will feature the east-coast debut of Eataamup Cassandra, who will have Campbell handling her lines for new owner Ralph Sweet of O’Leary. The five-year-old daughter of Black Tie Hanover was recently a winner in 1:57 over Clinton Raceway with Charlottetown native Drew Neill in the bike.

For race programs and live video, head to redshores.ca.

To view the harness racing entries for Thursday at the CDP, click the following link: Thursday Entries – Charlottetown Driving Park.

(With files from Red Shores)