A rookie trainer makes his debut, a veteran mare has the curtain close on her career and a photogenic pacer vies to be the winningest female in Canada during a rock solid Sunday evening New Year’s Eve program at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. 

The capital oval has 15 dashes starting at 6 p.m., with 14-year-old pacing mare Tell Me Why facing mandatory retirement when she turns 15 on Jan. 1. 

Norris Rogers drives the Joe MacDonald trainee from post nine in race eight of the evening with the tough daughter of Jeremes Jet going into her final start with 35 wins and $94,423 earned from 265 career starts for co-owners MacDonald and Alexis Gass of Cornwall, P.E.I. 

Also in race eight, post eight starter Shes Rockandfame will attempt to be the sole holder of the ‘winningest mare in Canada’ title as she looks for her 16th win of 2023. Shes Rockandfame is currently tied for the honour for owners Michael Arnold of Olds, Alta., and Amy Lakie of Montague, P.E.I. 

Ontario pacing mare Arizona currently sits in that tie with Shes Rockandfame after recording her 15th seasonal win on Dec. 28. Shes Rockandfame has propelled trainer Mike Dowling to his best year ever as a trainer in 2023, as her 15 victories boosted his total to 20 victories from just 44 starts. David Dowling is back in the race bike Sunday. 

If Shes Rockandfame falls short, she could be joined in a three-way tie for the top spot by Alberta mare Ontheroadtotexas, who will seek her 15th win of the year on New Year’s Eve at Century Mile. 

Up-and-coming horseman Landon Campbell will join in his father’s footsteps as he makes his first career pari-mutuel start as a trainer in race 13. The 16-year-old sends The Lady Sheriff to the starting gate in line to his father Marc Campbell, who will be crowned leading driver at Red Shores Charlottetown for the 14th straight season on Sunday. 

Jennifer Doyle heads into the final program of the calendar year with a four-race advantage for top trainer honours at 71 wins. Melissa Rennie and Jason Hughes are tied for second with 67 wins each. 

To view Sunday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.

(Red Shores)