The return of pari-mutuel harness racing in Canada is officially here with the first race card since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic underway Thursday (June 4) at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The capital oval was the first track in Canada to hold harness racing since March and the historic oval handled $102,308 on the 10-dash card in online betting as no spectators were allowed on site.

In the first at Charlottetown, C L La Rousse (Corey MacPherson) carved out fractions of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:28.3 before facing pressure late in the mile. Elm Grove Misty (Dave Kelly) was overland for the majority of the mile and appeared to be gaining ground on the pacesetter but didn't count on Dale Spence angling to the inside off his helmet with Jays Little Spark. The pacers hit the wire three across and Jays Little Spark got up in time for the win in 1:58.4. C L La Rousse held off a valiant Elm Grove Misty for place.

Chris MacInnis trains Jays Little Spark, an eight-year-old Aahm Canadian Now - Pownal Bay Pearl mare owned by Chris MacInnis of Hampshire, P.E.I. The pacing mare picked up her 16th career pacing win in the process.

After the first race, Red Shores' General Manager David MacKenzie offered his appreciation to the Island harness racing community for its assistance and patience during these unprecedented times.

"I just want to take a second to extend some appreciation on behalf of the Red Shores team, particularly to the PEI horse racing community -- to the owners, the trainers, the drivers, the grooms, the shippers, the veterinarians, the blacksmiths -- all those people who've worked so closely with us, with patience and understanding. It's been incredible and very much appreciated."

MacKenzie also noted that the team at Red Shores is aiming for an end of June to July 1 opening for the Summerside location.

Trainer-driver Marc Campbell gave Dreamfair Zenfire a perfect two-hole trip in her Island debut in the featured $2,900 Fillies and Mares Open pace for owners Ryan and Everett MacLeod with a 1:56 mile.

Race-favourite Berazzled set the early tempo with splits of :28.4, :58.1 and 1:27.3 while Dreamfair Zenfire sat on her back. The eventual winner angled out for the stretch drive to win by a half length over Berazzled with Woodmere Chella rounding out the triactor.

Live racing continues Saturday evening at 6 p.m. (ADT) at Red Shores Charlottetown with a 10-dash program. For race replays and more go to Redshores.ca.

(with files from Red Shores)

For the results from the Thursday card at Charlottetown Driving Park, click one of the following link: Thursday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.