Proven Lover blasted off the gate to take command of the field and never looked back en route to a blistering 1:53.1 mile in the second elimination of the Cecil Ladner Memorial Saturday at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Terry Gallant sent the nine-year-old son of Real Desire, trained by Thane Mann, through fractions of :27.4 and :57.2 before opening up a two-length lead when three-quarters flashed in a sparkling 1:26. The Casey Gavin-owned Proven Lover then sprinted home in :27.1 to the delight of the crowd. Capitalism finished second by two and a quarter lengths for Jason Hughes while Mcapulco and Brodie MacPhee were third. Windemere Express completed the superfecta.

Touch Of Lightning, with Earl Smith in the bike, won the first elimination of the Ladner Memorial in 1:56.3. Smith worked out the perfect trip for a one length victory over a closing Carnivore and Gary Chappell while fraction-setter Outlawpositivcharg and Terry Gallant tied for third with Pownal Bay Mustang, driven by Kenny Arsenault. The four-year-old son of Articulator is owned by Peter Smith, Donald Smith, Gerald Morrissey, and Larry Chappell.

The Ladner final is next Saturday, June 22.

The card also featured the Maritime Breeders eliminations for three-year-old colts and fillies.

Kaitlins Kowgirl, driven by Myles Heffernan, used an aggressive opening move and a breather in the second panel to win in 1:59.1 while Ramblinglily and Brodie MacPhee worked out the trip to claim their division in 1:58.3. MacPhee also put Twilite Zone up the passing lane to earn top honours in the colts division, clocking his mile in 1:58. The Rev, with Danny Romo, and Untouchable One, driven by Kenny Arsenault, won their eliminations in 1:57 and 1:56.1 respectively.

The three-year-old fillies will face off in next Saturday's final of the Ken Starratt Memorial while the colts compete in the Doug Harkness Memorial.

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

(With files from Red Shores)