It has been announced that Malabrigo, the three-year-old pacing filly that is the current North American season record holder with 16 wins in a row, will officially retire from racing during this Saturday's afternoon program at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Malabrigo’s owner, Buntainwood Farm of Brackley Beach, P.E.I., made the official announcement earlier this week, and preparations are in place for a special trackside ceremony to honour the filly.

Malabrigo set a track record for three-year-olds at Summerside, equalled the track record at Fredericton and tied Firms Phantom’s record of 16 stakes wins in the Maritimes in one season while banking $82,068.

"It's been a great ride with her. The last few weeks have been stressful watching her and hoping she keeps the streak alive," Angus Buntain told Trot Insider. "Marc [Campbell] did a fabulous job with her, keeping her sharp all season long."

Buntain confirmed that Malabrigo will be bred next year, possibly to another Maritime star.

"We've been in talks with Brent MacGrath as we'd like to breed her to Somebeachsomewhere in 2013," he said.

Trainer-driver Marc Campbell, breeder Dennis Baxter and groom Mark McKinnon will be with Malabrigo when her racing career ends after a special post parade after Race 8. The first 300 fans who purchase a program will receive a photograph of Malabrigo.

First-race post time for the 12-dash program is 1 p.m.

The card will also feature the Lady Slipper Stakes and the Open Trot with Waiting On A Woman.

April Dawns Star is the favourite to win the Lady Slipper, gold division (Race 7). The daughter of Articulator, trained by Wade Sorrie and owned by Michael Collings, finished second last week to Malabrigo by a neck in 1:57.2. Mike Stevenson gets the driving assignment. Windemere Nancy and Brodie MacPhee are the 5-2 choice in the other Lady Slipper gold.

MacPhee also has a live drive aboard Waiting On A Woman in the Open Trot class. The trotter, trained by Mitchell Tierney, has been undefeated since coming back East from Ontario in mid-September.

To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at the CDP, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.

(With files from Red Shores)