In a historic Atlantic Breeders Crown card at Red Shores Charlottetown on Sunday, Oct. 12, Miki Shan N became the first horse in Atlantic Canada history to break the 1:50 barrier, Windemere Skye tied a Canadian record while remaining undefeated, and Fight Song broke the all-time trotting track record. 

Miki Shan N, driven by Corey MacPherson, produced the fastest mile in Charlottetown Driving Park and Atlantic Canada history as he stopped the timer in 1:49.4 in the $50,000 Premier’s Cup in Race 16.

The Gold Cup and Saucer champion, undefeated in 10 starts on the Island, was untouchable once again, motoring through fractions of :27.4, :55.1, and 1:22.4 before powering home in :27 to eclipse the all-age track record of 1:50.1, which he previously co-held with Bee Two Bee, Sintra and Ys Lotus. Bee Two Bee (Jason Hughes) finished second, 8-3/4 lengths back, while Bettor Than Spring (Myles Heffernan Sr.) completed the top three.

Crossing the wire, MacPherson had his head turned, staring at the toteboard and waiting for the final time of Miki Shan N ($2.10).

“I saw three-quarters in 1:22.4 and thought maybe we tied the track record again,” MacPherson said. “Then I heard Vance Cameron say ‘there it is folks,’ and I started to tear up a little. It is simply amazing. I got to be in the right place at the right time and the rest is in the history books now. It may have been even cooler than winning the Gold Cup & Saucer to be the fastest ever in the rich history of the CDP.”

Miki Shan N, a six-year-old son of Always B Miki-Yankee Dream, is now 20-for-57 lifetime with $304,140 in earnings. He moved to North America from New Zealand earlier this season before shipping to P.E.I. in June. He is since undefeated with victories in the Gold Cup and Saucer, Governor's Plate, and now the Premier's Cup for trainer Chris MacKay and owners Kap Singh Racing Stable of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., Stephen Klunowski of North York, Ont., Earl Hill Jr. of Ohsweken, Ont., and Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I.

Fight Song ($6.50) was spectacular on the front-end in the $15,000 Island Oceans Trot Challenge Final, presented by Burkie By The Bay Stables, trotting the fastest mile in track history. He blazed through fractions of :28.4, :57, and 1:26 for driver Hughes and never looked back, stopping the clock in 1:54.3 in a 21-length romp for trainer Ashley Gamester and owner MacRae. Rocket Blast (MacPherson) and Glider Man (Dowling) were second and third, respectively.

The performance established a new all-age trotting track record at Red Shores Charlottetown, demolishing the previous standard of 1:55.2 set by Buckhead Ridge, who broke early in Sunday's contest. 

Fight Song took his 30th lifetime victory in 124 starts. The six-year-old Kadabra-Fortunes Of Fables gelding has earned $242,311.

Windemere Skye starred in the Atlantic Breeders Crown Finals, presented by MacRae's Backhoe and Trucking, staying perfect through 11 starts with a Canadian-record performance in the $40,000 two-year-old pacing filly event. She did it all herself, cutting the fractions of :27.4, :56.1, and 1:25.3 and storming home in 1:53.3 to win by 4-1/4 lengths for driver Marc Campbell. Beach Jewels (Gilles Barrieau) and Bakers Dozen (MacPherson) completed the triactor.

Windemere Skye lowered her own previous track record for a freshman pacing filly, which she set on Oct. 4, and she equalled the divisional half-mile-track Canadian record, which was first set by Luck Of Michelle in 2006 and matched by St Lads Popcorn in 2008.

“She is a freak, plain and simple,” Marc Campbell said after the win. “Yes, we are in the Maritimes, but I don’t think people realize the travel we do in the season of racing here. To be able to keep sharp and still set track records in back-to-back weeks, it is incredible. She should be nominated for an O’Brien Award, she’s that good.”

Earl Watts trains the daughter of Somewhere Fancy-Howmac Sissy for owners Windemere Farms of Springvale P.E.I. and Matt Burke of Stratford, P.E.I. Windemere Skye has now earned $108,685. She returned $2.10 to win.

The Atlantic Breeders Crown action began with Little Louis ($3) extending his streak in the $22,500 two-year-old trot final. Driven by MacPherson, the E L Rocket-Go With Her gelding got every call and scored his ninth consecutive victory, coasting to a 1:59.2 win by 4-1/4 lengths for trainer Kuri White and owner East Coast Captains of Cornwall, P.E.I. Emberlees Rocket (Marc Campbell) was second, with Roseys El Girl (Murphy) third. Little Louis took a new mark with the victory and improved to nine-for-10 with $72,184 in bankroll. 

The $40,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown Final for two-year-old pacing colts in Race 6 came down to a photo finish, with Sporty Anthony ($4.10) and driver Ken Murphy getting the nod by a nose in 1:55.4 over Woodmere Kobe (Kenny Arsenault). Zero Two Sixty (Barrieau) was third. The son of Somewhere Fancy-Southwind Ion sat in the two-hole and went up the passing lane to score for trainer Jason Biggar of Miscouche, P.E.I., who co-owns the gelding with breeder Jason Williams of McNeills Mills, P.E.I.

There was no stopping the Jason Hughes-driven Badgirl Bridgette ($2.10) in the $40,000 three-year-old pacing filly final for owner-trainer William Lanigan of Montague, P.E.I. The Stonebridge Terror-Whatabadgirl filly went gate-to-wire in 1:54.1, driving 4-1/4 lengths clear over Elm Grove Talia (David Dowling), with Woodmere Betcha (MacPherson) third. 

Malevolent ($2.10) continued his dominance of the three-year-old pacing colt division, defending his crown with a 1:54 victory in the $40,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown Final with trainer Paul Langille at the lines. The son of Malicious-Lady Kelleigh Anne scored for the ownership team of Debbie Francis of Sweets Corner, N.S. and Rosanne Langille of Lower Onslow, N.S. Phil My Beer (Marc Campbell) was a half-length back in second, while Rosetown Eclipse (MacPherson) came home third.

The $22,500 three-year-old trotting final was a romp for West River Jet ($2.20) and driver Ken MacDonald, powering home in 1:57.1 for trainer Clare MacDonald and owner Haley MacDonald of Stratford. The E L Rocket-Kaddys Angel gelding came first-over early to take the lead and was in control for the rest of the mile to best Dusty Lane Gus (Adam Merner) by 2-1/2 lengths, with Majian Mystery (Jim Ripley) third.

The $20,000 Steven and Joe MacRae Memorial Open Mares Final went to Sugar Bowl ($8) and driver Brady Sweet, who won in 1:53.3 for trainer Jeff Holmes and owner Brian MacPhee of Mount Stewart, P.E.I. Get Answers (Marc Campbell) was three-quarters of a length back in second, with Avyanna (Barrieau) third.

The six-year-old Sweet Lou-Well Read mare concluded a training triple for Holmes on the 16-race card. The conditioner also won with Allaboutthecash ($8.90) in the fifth race and Navalny ($5) in the 12th race. Holmes has won 21 races in 139 starts this year.

A replay of the live stream is available below.

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

(With files from Red Shores; photos clockwise from top left of Miki Shan N, Windemere Skye, Little Louis, and Fight Song)