Atlantic Canada’s rookie pacing stars will converge on Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 24 as the Joe O’Brien Memorial and Lady Slipper Stakes share the spotlight.

The 15-dash stakes-heavy program begins at 1 p.m. (ADT) and features Gold and Grassroots action for two-year-old pacers, alongside trotting divisions for the colts and fillies.

The pacing fillies take centre stage in Race 14 with the $32,800 Lady Slipper Stakes Gold division. Windemere Skye has been dominant her whole career with four wins from as many lifetime starts but is installed as the 3-1 second choice from the rail for trainer Earl Watts, driver Marc Campbell and owners Matt Burke and Windemere Farms. Fitness First (To be driven by Corey MacPherson) draws post two and is the top choice at 5-2 after a 1:54.4 mile in her last start, setting a new track record at Red Shores Charlottetown and tying Redlandbethanyjean’s overall two-year-old pacing record for Atlantic Canada. 

The $28,800 Joe O’Brien Memorial Gold division in Race 11 features formerly undefeated colt Sporty Anthony looking to return to the winner’s circle from the pylons. The Somewhere Fancy–Southwind Ion colt is the 3-1 second choice in the morning line with Ken Murphy in the bike for trainer and co-owner Jason Biggar of Miscouche and co-owner Jason Williams of McNeills Mills. He will clash with morning line favourite Tobins Gem (Marc Campbell) from post four and Louie The Lip (Brodie MacPhee) with post five in a deep group of freshman colts.

The Grassroots divisions of the Joe O’Brien Memorial has $14,400 splits for the rookie pacing colts in Races 3, 7, 13 and 15, while the Grassroots divisions of the Lady Slipper Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies carry $16,400 purses in Races 1, 5, 9 and 12.

Trotting talent is also on display with the Lady Slipper Stakes for two and three-year-old trotters. The two-year-old colts compete for $14,600 in Races 2 and 4, while the two-year-old trotting fillies line up in Race 8 for a $14,600 pot. The sophomores headline in Race 6 for the $20,240 three-year-old trotting fillies Lady Slipper division and in Race 10 for the lone $20,240 three-year-old trotting colts.

For Sunday's entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Summerside Raceway.

(Red Shores)