The top pacers on P.E.I. have been trading blows in recent weeks and that will continue in the Saturday (Jan. 27) afternoon feature at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. 

The capital oval has an 11-dash presentation set for a 12:30 p.m. opening post time with the featured pace in race 10. 

The morning line odds have Blood Money squarely in the win column leaving from post four on Saturday for trainer-driver Marc Campbell and owner Dr. Mitchell Downey of Saint John, N.B. The seven-year-old Sweet Lou stud was on stallion duty the first part of 2022 at Campbell’s Orwell farm then came back with a vengeance late in the year to take his seasonal mark of 1:54.4 in December in Charlottetown. The pacer has been first or second in his last six starts at the Preferred level. 

Stash It Away was the best last week as he stormed home to win the top $3,300 pace and will likely have to employ the same tactics from post five this week for driver Gilles Barrieau and trainer Kevin MacLean. 

Middleton Terror has rail control in his first Preferred start after winning his last two outings for trainer-driver David Dowling. Burn Out Hanover (to be driven by Brady Sweet) has post two while Mantario (Jason Hughes) holds down post three. 

The "Post Time Picks" see a front-end trip being the winning recipe for Blood Money: “Blood Money has been first or second in six straight starts and just missed at the wire last week. We’re thinking Campbell will be gunning for the front and if he does clear to the lead, it could be lights out.” 

The top mare’s pace is in race six for a $2,800 purse as a pair of claiming mares take on a tough Campbell-trained duo. Woodmere Rollily has post two while sporting a $16,800 claiming tag for driver Adam Merner, trainer Melissa Rennie and owners Marsha Knox and Cory Livingston. The Rollwithitharry mare was a 14-time winner in 2022. Fellow claiming mare Elm Grove Mistress (Hughes) has post three after 13 wins in 2022. The Campbell barn has a pair of entries with Filly Forty Seven (Dowling) from post four and Plain Jane (Campbell) as the morning line favourite with post five. Rounding out the field is rail entry Tell Me Why (Corey MacPherson). 

Red Shores will continue to offer the new Isle Pick 5 on the first five races with a $1,500 guaranteed pool and low 15 per cent takeout. Check out the new Player Portal for programs, picks and the Race Day broadcast at the Red Shores website.

(Red Shores)