Players Champion took the top trotting prize at Charlottetown Driving Park this afternoon winning the $1,400 Open Handicap for trainer/driver Ronnie Gass.
The seven-year-old mare sired by Mr Lavec got away second behind In My Heart (Brian MacPhee). As the players’ favourite, Hopedale Last Bill (Joey Pineau), took command after the opening quarter, Players Champion soon became locked in at the rail and was shuffled back to fifth by the third quarter station. Finding room in the stretch, the 4-1 third choice sprinted home for the win in 2:06 by one length.
Hopedale Last Bill stayed for second and King Tut Coming (Gary Chappell) finished third.
William Andrew of Calgary, Alta. owns the winner of eight races and over $47,000.
Brian MacPhee got a call from trainer Wade Sorrie to drive Tanks Alot in the $1,800 top class for pacers. The late change in plans worked out as Tanks Alot and MacPhee converted the pocket trip into a winning mile of 2:00.1 by one and quarter lengths. Best Of Life (Terry Gallant) carved out all the fractions and held on for second while Negrito (Gary Chappell) finished third.
Austin and Macy Sorrie of Montague, P.E.I own the seven-year-old gelded son of Royal Match. The bay recorded his 18th win and increased his earnings to $48,020.
In other action, the $1,200 George Murphy Memorial gave nine-year-old Zodiac Mac a chance to shine for new trainer Marc Campbell.
Posting an 8-1 upset, Danny MacDonald engineered the winning trip from off the pace. Stablemate Lincolns Legacy (Jason Hughes) set the tempo but Zodiac Mac rallied from third-over for the win in 2:04.1 beating out the pocket-sitter, Joshs Deal (Harold Shepherd), by half a length as Lincolns Legacy faded to third.
The Kentucky Spur gelding, who is owned by Gerald Walsh of Stratford, P.E.I, scored his 25th career win lifting his earnings to $89,480.
Blaine Baglole was crowned the winner in the Pick 7 to Las Vegas Showdown. The Cornwall native beat out 51 contestants to claim the top prize, which included airfare, accommodations and spending money. The Travel Store, WestJet, PEI Standardbred Horse Owners Association and Harness Racing PEI Inc presented the contest.
To view Saturday's results, click here.
(With files from Harness Racing PEI)