The trial starters were revealed for the 2024 Gold Cup & Saucer, presented by Atlantic Lottery, as Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park launched the drive to 65 at a press conference on Tuesday morning, Aug. 6.

The 65th running of the Gold Cup & Saucer will carry a purse of $100,000 and the Grand Circuit stakes race will cap off Old Home Week on Saturday, Aug. 17. 

With 25 horses entered, there will be three trials held with the top three finishers from each advancing to the final. A draw determined the first trial will have nine starters and the remaining two trials will have eight starters each. The fourth through sixth-place finishers in the trials will compete in the James (Roach) MacGregor Gold Cup & Saucer consolation on Friday, Aug. 16. A second consolation race will be held for the seventh, eighth and ninth-place finishers in the trials.

The first two $15,000 Gold Cup & Saucer trials are set for Saturday, Aug. 10 during the 4 p.m. program scheduled at Red Shores Charlottetown.

The fastest horse in the history of New Brunswick harness racing, American History, has rail control in the first trial for the husband and wife team of driver Dale Spence and trainer MacKenzie Spence. The Woodbine Mohawk Park Preferred pacer toured Connell Park in Woodstock, N.B., in 1:52 flat while winning the recently held Kelti Burnett Memorial for owner Patrick Hill of Fredericton, N.B.

The second $15,000 Gold Cup & Saucer trial has defending champion Covered Bridge from the Jeff Gillis stable. The Yonkers Raceway regular won the 2023 edition of the Gold Cup & Saucer in 1:50.3 in line to Jordan Stratton for owner Mark Ford of Campbell Hall, New York.

The third and final $15,000 Gold Cup and Saucer trial will be held Monday, Aug. 12 during the 6 p.m. card at Red Shores Charlottetown. Rocks Shining Star will leave from post one for trainer Jamie Smith and owner Thestable Rocksshiningstar of Guelph, Ont. The 16-time winner has been racing at the Open level across Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. The third trial also includes 2021 Gold Cup & Saucer champion Smooth Lou, returning to P.E.I. with trainer/driver Corey MacPherson currently campaigning the pacer for Triple S Equine of Newton, Ont.

The fields for the trials are listed below in post position order.

Gold Cup & Saucer Trial #1 (Saturday)
Post - Horse - Trainer
1. American History - MacKenzie Spence
2. Fern Hill General - Tom Weatherbie
3. One Eight Hundred - Ellen Stevenson
4. P L Ozzy - Darren Smith
5. Save America - Jamie Smith
6. Hes Sure Good - Noah Whebby
7. Bayfield Beach - Victor Puddy
8. Binge On Yankee - Jeff Gillis
9. Bee Two Bee - Ashley Gamester

Gold Cup & Saucer Trial #2 (Saturday)
Post - Horse - Trainer
1. Blue Hunt - Ashley Gamester
2. Bounty Hunter - Kenny Arsenault
3. Fortify - Chris MacKay
4. Ilikemebettor A - Mike McGuigan
5. Saulsbrook Ian - Jamie Smith
6. Covered Bridge - Jeff Gillis
7. Twin B Tuffenuff - Ron Matheson
8. Roll Em - Brent Campbell

Gold Cup & Saucer Trial #3 (Monday)
Post - Horse - Trainer
1. Rocks Shining Star - Jamie Smith
2. Island Beach Boy - Tom Weatherbie
3. Heaven On High N - Jamie Smith
4. Bob Loblaw - Ken Middleton
5. Southwind Sambucca - Victor Puddy
6. Smooth Lou - Corey MacPherson
7. High Voltage Deo - Brendan Curran
8. Larry Karr - Dean Nixon

A replay of the post position draw and press conference held on Tuesday morning is available below.

Complete entries will be available on the Standardbred Canada website.

(With files from Red Shores)