One of the Island’s top performances of 2024 came from Save America, and the talented pacer will look for redemption on Saturday, June 14 in a loaded Preferred Pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The city track has a 14-dash card scheduled for a 6 P.M. (ADT) start, with the $5,500 Preferred Pace headlining in Race 13.

Save America (pictured above) makes his first Maritime appearance since last August’s Gold Cup and Saucer final, where he finished third in the $100,000 event for trainer Jamie Smith with a hard-fought performance from post eight. The five-year-old son of Captaintreacherous will leave from post five with Ken Murphy handling the catch-driving duties for owner Thestable.ca. He ships to P.E.I. in top form, winning in 1:49.3 over Scioto Downs in Ohio on June 4 in preparation for the $50,000 Governor’s Plate on July 19 at Red Shores Summerside.

The road to the winner’s circle will not be easy, with multiple Preferred-class rivals in play in the eight-horse field. Wind Blown (To be driven by Paul Langille) was a winner in 1:51 over Woodbine Mohawk Park already this season and has post four from the Phil Sizer barn. T H Boomtown (Kenny Arsenault) has rail control as part of a Ron Matheson stable duo along with post six starter Blood Money (Gilles Barrieau).

Island Beach Boy will also attract plenty of support, leaving from post two for trainer Adam Merner. Merner drove the pacer to a front-end victory in his Cecil Ladner Memorial Invitational division last week, but the driver is competing in stakes action in New Brunswick Saturday so Jason Hughes will take the reins this time out.

Brookdale Johnny (David Dowling) has post three also from the Sizer barn while the outside is populated by post seven starter Saulsbrook Ian (Corey MacPherson) for trainer Smith and post eight entry Roll Em (Marc Campbell) from the Landon Campbell barn to complete what should be a hotly-contested dash.

The Post Time Picks take Save America in his return.

“Save America won his Gold Cup and Saucer trial and finished third in the final from the dreaded eight hole the last time he graced our Red Shores 10 months ago. He scorched Scioto Downs in 1:49.3 in his latest, and Kenny Murphy picks up his most talented catch drive, so I'm betting they lead gate-to-wire.”

The fifth race is The Freemason’s Pace, in what appears to be a wide-open $2,500 tilt.

Hippyjohn (Arsenault) is the top selection from post six for owner Roderick Smith of Inverness, N.S., and he takes on the likes of post seven starter St Charlesfireball (Marc Campbell) and Georges Credit (Mark Bradley) in a full field of eight.

Play along with the action live and online through HPIbet. To view entries for Saturday night, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Red Shores Charlottetown.

(Red Shores)