Rockin Novel and rookie driver Damian MacLellan have the target on their backs as the ones to beat in the Canada Day Pace on a special Friday afternoon July 1 program at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.

There will also be Canada Day treats for fans, prize draws for souvenir t-shirts and Governor’s Plate swag. On track customers can tag their Canada Day ticket on each race for a chance to win $50 on the Wild Horses jackpots throughout the afternoon.

The Prince County, P.E.I. half-miler has 13 dashes slated for a 1 p.m. (AST) start time with the Canada Day Pace lining up in Race 11 of the afternoon. 

Rockin Novel is the top choice in the $2,300 event from post three as he rides six straight on-the-board finishes into the dash. The Alberta-sired son of Mystery Chase has won two races since relocating to P.E.I. for trainer/driver MacLellan, who shares ownership in the pacer with Danny Birt of Earnscliffe, P.E.I. His top rivals in the historic Canada Day Pace are Heart And Soul (to be driven by Walter Cheverie) and Silver Jake (Devon Wallace). 

The Race 13 finale is set to be a hotly contested $2,900 dash with Three Truths the morning line favourite fresh off a trio of second-place finishes for trainer Kyle Wilkie and owners Jason Rice, Tara Harper and Tyler and Ryan Wilkie. Jason Hughes gets the catch-driving call this week. Multiple top class winner Nogreatmischief has the rail for trainer/driver Cheverie while Boys Turn (David Dowling) leaves from post seven after winning his last start in 1:55.1. 

The "Backstretch Beat" in Friday’s program leans another way and pegs Winter Blast for the top spot from post three for driver MacLellan and conditioner Jennifer Doyle: “Winter Blast made up a pile of ground in a quick mile his last start and has shown us in the past how much he loves the front end. From post three that could easily be where he is heading so watch out that he doesn’t get it all.” 

Race 12 has the $3,300 Preferred 2 Pace with Screen Test the top choice from post five for driver Corey MacPherson and trainer Ron Gass. His top rivals in the field are five are viewed as Merito Hanover (Hughes) and Mantario (MacLellan). 

To view Friday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Friday Entries - Summerside Raceway.

(Red Shores)