The fact that some of harness racing’s greatest horseman have hailed from Prince Edward Island makes Marc Campbell’s continued provincial dominance even more impressive as it continued Saturday afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The afternoon card was the final program of the winter meet at the capital oval with 11 dashes on tap and the ‘King’ of Island racing making five returns to the winner’s circle. Marc Campbell teamed up with Eagle Jolt out of his own stable to win the $2,300 top class in 1:57.2 for the 55th win of the pacer’s career. Wilbur and Marie MacDonald of Stratford hold the ownership papers of the 11-year-old son of Village Jolt. The top event saw second place go to Drivingthedragon N (Driven by Jason Hughes) with Keep Coming (Adam Merner) completing the $120 triactor ticket.
Campbell had two more winners from his stable as Woodmere Articblue stopped the clock in 1:58.4 and Fern Hill Breeze won the final dash of the season in a lifetime best 1:59.1.
Iswhatitis and Campbell clicked in 2:01.3 for the pacer’s third win in a row for Neal Moase of Warren Grove, while the Kyle Wilkie-trained Mach Of Ballykeel was a 2:00.1 victor with Campbell in tow.
After setting a new dash win record for Red Shores Charlottetown in 2017, Campbell again leads the driver's standings with 14 wins after three cards in 2018.
Newly-minted provincial Finance Minister Heath MacDonald was in attendance for the season-ending card, reaffirming the winning partnership between the provincial government and the Island's harness racing industry.
Corey MacPherson recorded a driving double on the program.
Live harness racing returns to P.E.I. in April. For results from Saturday's card, click the following link:
(with files from Red Shores)