Eighteen-year-old driver Patrick Shepherd kicked off the New Year in a big way with a pair of his first career victories today during the matinee program

at Charlottetown Driving Park.

Shepherd, brother of Ontario-based driver Robert Shepherd, tipped even-money favourite Joshs Deal three-wide past the third quarter mark en route to his first career win in the fourth race. Owned and trained by Nick Macgillivray, the 10-year-old son of Make A Deal-Nuisance Value cruised to an eight length score in 2:03.4 over a track rated ‘good’ and three seconds off.

Shepherd later sent the popular Mchales Gravy down the road to win the ninth race by two lengths in 2:05.4 for trainer Jamie Smith and owner Mike MacDonald.

In other action, nine-year-old veteran Hall Trot and trainer-driver Todd Walsh went wire-to-wire to win the $1,400 Open Handicap Trot. Hall Trot took control of the field after leaving from Post 4 and turned back a first over challenge from Wine Merchant (Joey Pineau) en route to a two and a quarter length victory in 2:06.4. Trotting mare Awesome Edna (Doug MacGregor) followed in the pocket for second and Dunmore Alpha (Mark Cullen) was third. The victory was his 17th lifetime and pushed his bankroll to $108,562. Alyssa N Jack Macs Stable of Charlottetown purchased the gelded son of Angus Hall-Stormont Emma in early November.

Longshot Fit To Ben Tied converted from the pocket to win the $2,000 feature pace for driver Kenny Arsenault and trainer Wade Sorrie. The four-year-old son of Fit For Life-Beyond Obsession prevailed by a head over favourite Life Savior (Marc Campbell) in 2:03. The win was his eighth of his career and lifted his earnings to $19,773 for owners Walter Simmons of Summerside, and Austin and Macy Sorrie of Montague, P.E.I.

To view Saturday’s results, click here.