Veronicavermillion came from off the pace to win the afternoon feature race in an impressive 1:56.4 Saturday at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Driver Brian MacPhee and Veronicavermillion tracked mid-pack behind Cambest Kisser (Kenny Arsenault) and pacesetter Forever Paradise (Marc Campbell) through hot fractions of :28, :57.4 and 1:27.1 before the leader began to tire and the only girl in the field handed the boys a defeat. Veronicavermillion is owned by Alex MacPhee of Cornwall, P.E.I. and trained by Neil Bambrick. She paid $11.90 to win. Cambest Kisser was second with Narragansett rallying to finish third. The 3-1-5 triactor returned $395.20 while the superfecta 3-1-5-2 was $963.50. Modern Xhibit was a late scratch.
Jason Hughes had another big day at the track with four winners on the program. The Stratford, P.E.I. native got the grand-slam rolling with Sanchez Blue Chip then followed up with Machinthesand and Walbert, where he was greeted in the winner’s circle by Island Storm player Rashad Whack, who teamed up with the horse and driver for a special promotion. Whack, a guard with the Storm, came right back in the second promotional race to get his picture taken with Talk Back and driver Wade Sorrie. Hughes closed the day with Blue Star Outlaw for owner Donnie MacRae of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I.
In other action, I Aint No Lady ended Frill Seeker’s winning streak after claiming the Open Handicap Trot for MacPhee and owner Sandra Cole of Kensington, P.E.I. Garth Cole was the winning trainer.
MacPhee, Sorrie and Ken Murphy recorded driving doubles on the day.
The wager was $46,488.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)