Woodmere Rock It produced a historic performance as he equalled the Canadian record for two-year-old pacing geldings on a half-mile track at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Anthony MacDonald fired Woodmere Rock It from post five in the $17,400 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Gold division, and after the undefeated gelding raced rough-gaited on the first turn, he resumed his fluid stride and pushed to the lead in the :28 quarter. He maintained separation to pocket-sitter Malicious Benny (Marc Campbell) while motoring through :56.3 and 1:25 fractions and stormed home in :27.4 to stop the timer in 1:52.4, the fastest mile by a two-year-old in Atlantic Canada history. Malicious Benny was 3-1/4 lengths back in second, followed by Woodmere Dougal (Corey MacPherson).

The time equalled the Canadian record for two-year-old pacing geldings on a half-mile track, previously set by Betterhavemymoney in 2021 at Grand River Raceway and Funtime Bayama in 2023 at Flamboro Downs. It also demolished the former Charlottetown track record for rookie gelding pacers of 1:54.1, jointly held by Bettim Again and Woodmere Stealdeal, both of whom set the mark in 2020. The effort made him the fastest two-year-old in the track's history, taking the mantle over filly Windemere Skye's 1:53.3 mile.

Woodmere Rock It ($2.10) is trained by Jamie Smith for Thestable Woodmererock It of Guelph, Ont. The son of Tobago Cays-Musette Mindale, bred by Woodmere Farms of Marshfield, P.E.I., is six-for-six with $34,525 in lifetime earnings. He now holds the overall two-year-old pace record at both Red Shores properties after his 1:54.3 victory at Summerside Raceway on Aug. 9.

The other $17,400 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Gold division went to Southdale Jeff and trainer-driver Adam Merner in 1:56.1. He sat third through :28.3 and :58.1 panels and was shuffled to fifth and last after staying on the cones through three-quarters in 1:27.2. The rail opened up for the colt as they came off the final turn, though, and he dashed up the passing lane to a three-quarter-length victory in 1:56.1. Much More Malice (Barrieau) was second ahead of Camco Kolton (MacPherson). 

The winning son of Rollwithitharry-Windemere Miagrace is owned by Mike May and Herman McQuaid of Charlottetown, P.E.I. Wednesday's win was the first in five outings for the colt bred by Boys Will Be Boys 2 of Charlottetown, and it brought his earnings to $17,435. He paid $16.30.

Marc Campbell dominated the undercard with seven victories, including with Captain Tate, who extended his win streak to five in an overnight. He defended pylon position through a :27.2 opening panel, yielded to a pocket-pop by Tymal Miami (Brady Sweet) and sat the two-hole to the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:26, then came out in the lane and glided clear by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:55. Rosiesmightymoe (Gilles Barrieau) finished second, and Tymal Miami (Brady Sweet) was third.

Captain Tate ($2.30) has won 10 of his 14 starts at three after a winless five-start rookie year. Walter Walker conditions the son of Captain Crunch-Ginger Tree Nina for James MacInnis of Halifax, N.S.

Campbell also won three $8,700 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Grassroots divisions for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings. His stakes winners were Grampiesdirtyjokes ($5.80) in 1:58.3 for trainer Landon Campbell, Wilson Cassidy ($2.10) in 1:57.2 for Kevin Bailey and Me And The Boys ($2.90) in 1:59 for Earl Watts. He also won with Play N Bad ($6.80), Big Bad Bruiser ($4.10) and Bronx Drifter ($4.70). The driver continues to lead the standings at Charlottetown in search of his 17th straight title at the track.

The other Grassroots divisions for two-year-old pacing colts were won by Philndangerous ($8.80) in 1:57.2 for driver Brodie MacPhee and trainer Tom Weatherbie, Ryder Roo ($4.30) in 1:56 for trainer Earl Watts with Paul Langille driving, Saulsbrook Andy ($7.30) in 1:58.4 for driver MacPherson and trainer Chris MacKay, and Irish Rover ($22.60) closed out the program with a 1:59.3 victory for trainer-driver Monica Sutherland.

Live racing continues on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Red Shores Charlottetown.

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

(With files from Red Shores)