Driver Corey MacPherson has taken time to discuss some of the horses that he is scheduled to steer during Saturday’s (January 23) afternoon program of live racing at Red Shores’ Charlottetown Driving Park.
MacPherson has been winning multiple races since his return to the track in November and has taken over the top spot in the driver standings at the CDP with 13 victories.
“I’m feeling really good right now and my confidence is up because I’m driving better horses too,” said MacPherson. “It really comes down to the horses but I’m driving with a bit more patience and I try to put each horse in a position to win.”
One of those horses is Idealic Life. The 12-year-old son of Western Ideal is trained by Trevor Hicken and will be searching for his seventh straight victory Saturday in Race 12. MacPherson said the charge is a pleasure to drive. “You can hold him with two fingers in the post parade, but once you turn him behind the gate he’s like a race car. He likes the front but he can come off a helmet, and once I move him he delivers such a burst of speed. He’s a nice horse.”
Best Risque will be looking for her fifth win in a row on Saturday during the Open mares handicap for MacPherson and trainer Brian Ladner. “I got into a little trouble with her last week and had to go three high to the opening quarter, but she proved how tough she is. That was a big win.” The roster also includes A Fiesty X Ample off the rail for driver Stephen Quinn and conditioner Nickolas Oakes. Quinn is third in the standings with four winners in the first month of 2016, three behind Marc Campbell, who sits in second with seven. Campbell only needs one more trip to victory lane to notch 1,500 in his career.
A familiar name will return to Charlottetown on Saturday. Smokin Bear, who appeared in the 2013 Gold Cup & Saucer, is entered to compete in Race 10 for driver Mike McGuigan, trainer Kenneth Wilkie and owner Jamie Whelan.
Customers still have a chance to purchase tickets on a Gold Cup & Saucer and Governor’s Plate prize package in the Classy Lane fundraiser. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Rewards Club in Charlottetown and Summerside. The last chance to buy tickets will be January 30.
The harness racing fan choice awards ballot will be in the race program on Saturday. Fans will have an opportunity to select their favorites and be entered for a chance to win a Red Shores prize package.
The legendary oval has 13 races on Saturday. First-race post time is 12:30pm.
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)