Acefortyfour Dome ended 2023 on a win and returned in 2024 on Saturday, Jan. 6 with another win in the Fillies and Mares Preferred 2 at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park to kick off the new year right.

Jason Hughes and Acefortyfour Dome got away fifth from the outside in the field of five going for a purse of $3,400 as the opening panel in :27.4 saw a battle at the top between Chelski (Corey Macpherson), Sugar Bowl (Mark Bradley) and Stonebeachlily (Ken Murphy). After that panel, Hughes pulled his right line and Acefortyfour Dome was on a first-over advance through the half in :58.1 and three-quarters in 1:29.2. As they reached the final turn, Acefortyfour Dome had assumed control on the front. With ease, the mare continued home after a :28.4 last quarter to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58.1. Sugar Bowl finished second and Chelski rounded out the top three.

Hughes trains the seven-year-old Up The Credit mare for Donald MacRae. Acefortyfour Dome earned her 33rd career victory as she sits just $993 shy of $200,000 at $199,007 for her career bankroll. As the third choice in the mile at 2-1 odds, the mare paid $6.00 to win.

Fired up from the beginning, Rollwithhottytoddy was determined to hit the wire first in the Saturday afternoon co-feature.

In the $3,300 conditioned pace, Rollwithhottytoddy sprang to the lead under the command of driver Myles Heffernan Sr., and lead through every call to a 1:55.3 victory. Blood Money (David Dowling) came calling first-over to finish second with post one starter Three Trick Gainer (Adam Merner) completing the triactor.

Trevor Hicken owns and trains the five-year-old Rollwithitharry gelding, who celebrated his 15th lifetime win during the first P.E.I. program of 2024. 

Hicken also scored earlier in the program with Logan Behold (Merner) in 1:59.4 for the All Bets Off colt’s second straight win. 

Merner was a three-time winner on the program as he also won with Whole Nother in 2:00.3 for trainer Ted Smallwood and Solid Silver in 1:59.3 for trainer Stacey Darrach. 

Dowling doubled up as a trainer-driver winning race one with Southfield Sandy (2:01) and race 10 with Youremyhearthrob (1:59.2).  

Hughes also tripled up on the day as a driver with Acefortyfour Dome, Skip Across (1:59.4) for her fourth straight from the Stanley Harper barn and Elm Grove Mistress (1:58.1) for trainer Jennifer Doyle. 

The team of driver Brady Sweet and trainer Jeff Holmes was firing on all cylinders with a trio of trips to the historic winner’s circle. The duo clicked with Elroy Shiner (1:57.4) for his third straight in race two, Imalookertoo (1:57.1) in race nine and Burn Out Hanover (1:58.3) in race 12. 

Live harness racing continues on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 12:30 p.m.

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

(With files from Red Shores)