Driver Austin Sorrie put the pedal down on Bugsy Maguire from the start and never relinquished the lead on his way to a victory in the Preferred Pace on the opening program of the summer meet at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park Saturday (May 8).

Leaving hard from post 4 in the $3,200 feature, Bugsy Maguire was first to the front over a rain-soaked oval in cool windy conditions with a five-second variant. He led through fractions of :30.1, 1:02.3 and 1:34.3 before closing the mile in 2:03.1. Favourite Avatar J was second while Screen Test rounded the triactor ticket. Wade Sorrie trains the winning seven-year-old son of Bettors Delight for owner Walter Simmons of Summerside.

The Ron Gass stable was large on the 12-dash card with three winners on the night. Kataparka (Gilles Barrieau) was a front end winner in 2:04.1, while Ms Moyse (Barrieau) reached up for a neck decision in 2:05.1 and Pictonian Thunder (Corey MacPherson) found the wire first in 2:04.1.

Barrieau also celebrated a driving triple as Clare Hall Hanover was a 2:06.3 victor from the Ron Matheson barn.

Whims Drop Off delivered the biggest upset of the evening as trainer Ken Wilkie steered the free-legged pacer to victory in 2:05.3 at odds of 37-1. Carson Wilkie of Stratford holds the ownership papers of the Articulator four-year-old.

Ten Mile Beach and drive-trainer Brett LeBlanc opened up the meet with a 2:05.3 score for his co-owner Joel Leblanc.

Total handle for the card was $80,953.

Live racing continues next Saturday (May 15) at Red Shores Charlottetown.

(Red Shores)

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.