Two of the finest trotters in the history of Atlantic Canadian harness racing will face off again Thursday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The 12-dash Thursday program has a 6 p.m. start time. The featured $2,400 Open Trot is scheduled to line up for Race 5 and will showcase a pair of Maritime trotting champions.

Newly minted Charlottetown trotting mare track record holder Hop Up will start from Post 5 in the field of six. The mare will be driven by Corey MacPherson for owner-trainer Keith Campbell of Victoria West. The six-year-old daughter of Tad The Stud recorded her 18th lifetime win last week while stamping herself as the fastest trotting female in the history of Atlantic Canadian harness racing with her 1:57.1 victory.

Mile Hill Willie, who co-holds the overall track trotting record at 1:56.3, will start from the outside in Thursday’s contest with Gilles Barrieau in the sulky for trainer Paul Morrison. The son of Armbro Barrister just missed by a head to finish second in Hop Up’s track record performance last week.

Peter MacPhee with 'Post Time Picks' selected Mile Hill Willie in the top spot. “Mile Hill Willie was flying on the end of it last time and just missed getting it all at the wire. Slightly better post and his form is excellent so if he fires homes in :28 and change again he could hit the wire first.”

Also in the Open Trot field are Windmeredontuworry (to be driven by Adam Merner), Daisy River (Jason Hughes), Sailor Blue (Ken Murphy) and Labero (David Dowling).

Race 10 of the evening will see Temagami Seelster attempt to remain undefeated since moving east. The three-year-old daughter of Sunshine Beach was a winner of $171,297 last year while racing primarily in the Ontario Sires Stakes program, but had failed to garner a cheque racing in Ontario in the first part of 2020. Nova Scotia owners David Mercer, Wayne McGean and Joseph Lewis then sent the sophomore to trainer Tom Weatherbie in Charlottetown where she has wheeled off four consecutive victories. Temagami Seelster will again have the services of driver Brodie MacPhee on Thursday. Her main competition in the $1,950 event are Much Adoo (Barrieau) and Traces Of Purple (Hughes).

For race programs and more, head to redshores.ca and wager online at HPIBet.com.

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

(Red Shores)