Tobins Swiftie and Country Rhythm claimed the $21,920 Gold divisions of the P.E.I. Colt Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies as Governor’s Plate Week racing continued on Wednesday, July 15 at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.

Jason Hughes was in the bike behind the faster winner, Tobins Swiftie, an Ashley Gamester-trained daughter of Somewhere Fancy-Putnam Mackenzie.

The race started with heavily favoured Sheeowtime Speed (Marc Campbell) make a break in stride, and Tobins Swiftie ($14) capitalized by striking the front and pacing through splits of :30.2, :59.4 and 1:28.2. She then uncorked a final panel of :28.1 to win by two lengths in 1:56.3. Starship Daisy (Corey MacPherson) was second best ahead of Redland Equinox (Kenny Arsenault).

Tobins Swiftie has now earned $11,620 after her first win for owners Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I., and Jean Marc MacKenzie of Toronto, Ont. She debuted with a fourth-place finish in the Atlantic Sires Stakes (ATSS) on July 3 and is one-for-two lifetime.

The other Gold division went to Country Rhythm ($4.20). She was first to the lead for driver Myles Heffernan Sr., put up the fractions of :29, :58.2 and 1:29.1 and held off Rosetown Aurora (MacPherson) for a half-length 1:59.1 victory for owner-trainer-breeder Myles Heffernan Jr. of Summerville, P.E.I. Rosetown Aurora sat the pocket to finish second with Fox Harbour Filly (Marc Campbell) rallying for third. 

Country Rhythm finished second in her debut in the ATSS before Wednesday's maiden win, which brought the bankroll of the Tobago Cays-Dusty Lane Bria filly to $14,254.

In the first $10,960 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Grassroots division for rookie pacing fillies, Lady Of Malice ($2.70) took an initial mark of 1:59.2 in in a 13-length romp for driver Langille and trainer Kyle Williams, who co-owns the Malicious-Karans Choice filly with James Trainor of Ellerslie, P.E.I.

Isle B Ur Diamond ($2.70) won the second Grassroots division by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:01.1 for trainer-driver Darryl MacLean, who co-owns the Fine Diamond-Wild Dream filly with Gordon MacLean of Winsloe, P.E.I. and Stephen Downey of Quispamsis, N.B.

Big Heart N Soul ($3.50) delivered a victory in the third Grassroots contest with a first-over move for trainer-driver Gilles Barrieau and owner Wayne MacRae of Fall River, N.S. The daughter of Big Jim-Mystic Eyes won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:59.2.

The lone Grassroots upset came in the final split as Here For The Party ($28.50) gave Keith Legge the first stakes victory of his driving career, winning by five lengths in 1:59.4. George Rennison, who had two wins on the 10-race card, trains the Sunshine Beach-Seethelightsngo filly for owners Clarissa Maher of Lower Sackville, N.S., Rennison Racing Inc. of Truro, N.S. and Ian MacDonald of Lower Sackville.

In the fourth-race Arnold Kiggins Memorial Pace, Howmac Maleficent (Ken Murphy, $6.70) was placed up to first in 1:58 for trainer Gordie Hennessey, who co-owns the mare with Lori Hennessey of Charlottetown, P.E.I. and Paul Emile Bernard of Dieppe, N.B. She finished second but was inherited the win as Timberlea Lady (Jaycob Sweet) was placed second for interference.

Governor’s Plate Week racing continues on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Red Shores Summerside with a 14-race program. Woodmere Dougal, Malicious Benny and Woodmere Rock It will seek to remain perfect in the $17,300 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Gold divisions for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Woodmere Dougal gets 5-2 top billing from post three in the first P.E.I. Colt Stakes Gold division in Race 7 with Corey MacPherson handling the lines of his trainee for owners Peter Smith and Gerald Morrissey. The son of Bet The Moon-Princess Rusty stormed home to win his ATSS A-level division on July 5 in his career debut in 1:56.4 at Truro Raceway. Malicious Benny (PP5, 7-2) also won his first start in a 1:58.1 performance in an ATSS A division at Truro on July 5. Paul Langille will pilot the Earl Watts-trained son of Malicious-Howmacs Princess for owner Wade Peconi.

The second P.E.I. Colt Stakes Gold division lines up in Race 11 with Woodmere Rock It (5-2) favoured on the morning line from the rail. MacPherson drives the Tobago Cays-Musette Mindale gelding for trainer Jamie Smith and owner The Stable Woodmererock It. Woodmere Rock It won his career debut in 1:56.4 on June 27, then romped in his ATSS A-level bout on July 5 in 1:56 at Truro. His rivals field include Bowser (Jason Hughes, 7-2) from post four and Woodmere Fergus (Barrieau, 3-1) with post five.

The program also has $8,650 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Grassroots divisions for two-year-old pacing colts in Races 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 12 and 14.

To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - Summerside Raceway.

(Red Shores)