Press Time Favoured In Woodstock's Top Class
Connell Park in Woodstock, N.B. will host a five-dash card on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
New Brunswick native Todd Trites will be back in the bike on Saturday and has drives in all five races, including the streaking newcomer Press Time in the $2,600 top class.
Campaigned by local first-time owner Zach Cougle and trainer Averil Hunter, Press Time will look for his third straight victory in the Woodstock's Winners Over class. He comes in off two impressive wins in 1:54.1 on Aug. 30 and 1:55.1 last Saturday, Sept. 7. Race Secretary Brent Briggs has opted to handicap the newcomer with outside post six and the seven-year-old Sportswriter gelding is the 7-5 choice on the morning line.
Mantario, another son of Sportswriter, has been second to Press Time in their last two races for trainer Watne Watson and owner Jennifer Ritchie of Kingston, N.B. He will be looking for the slight upset from post three with Watson in the bike.
Watchmaker and veteran driver Mike Downey will leave from post two for trainer Ellen Stevenson. The four-year-old son of Hes Watching was sharp in his last outing, winning in 1:57 on Sept. 7 at Woodstock for owner Dr. Mitchell Downey of Saint John, N.B. Mitch Downey will drive stablemate One Eight Hundred from post four.
Jeff Lewis will pilot his veteran pacer Emperor from post five while P J Spudland, a three-year-old with five wins and two seconds in his seven starts during his debut racing season this year, gets Colin DeCourcey for local trainer/owner Weldon Briggs.
Wagering is available through the HPIbet platform and fans can watch the action on Universum Media's YouTube channel or visit their local teletheatre location. There will be food on the premises this week on Saturday for live fans in attendance.
To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Woodstock Raceway NB.
(With files from Horse Racing New Brunswick)