Best Risque, under the command of Corey MacPherson, notched her sixth win in a row after taking the afternoon feature in 2:00.1 Saturday at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
MacPherson, who had four winners on the program, rushed the Brian Ladner trainee from post eight to the lead in the $2,350 Open Mares Handicap and cut fractions of :29.1, 1:00.1 and 1:30.2 on the way to winning by a length and an half over Outrageous Spirit (Gordon Hennessey) while Ideal Space (Ken Murphy) completed the triactor. The score was Best Risque’s 50th lifetime victory for owners Brian, Lillian and Kevin Ladner, all of Charlottetown.
MacPherson’s other winners were Montana Ben from the Mike Ramsay stable, Im A Debutant for Cam Fella Award winner William Andrew and trainer Ron Gass and Painted Desert from the Trevor Hicken stable in the back-up class in 1:57.3.
Bold Arrow and driver Dale Spence closed out the winter meet in Charlottetown with top honours in the finale for owner/trainer Greg MacInnis of Tyne Valley, P.E.I.
Wade Sorrie and Marc Campbell enjoyed driving doubles on the card.
The P.E.I. harness racing community presented a cheque for $5,000 to the Classy Lane Barn Fire fund. Customers bought tickets on a Gold Cup and Governor’s Plate prize package while donations also came in from the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association, Red Shores, Prince Edward Island Horse Owners Association, Prince County Horsemen’s Club and the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission Stretch Drive Fund. Twila Mahar was the winner of the Gold Cup signature event. Patricia Keough claimed the 2016 Governor’s Plate grand prize.
Racing returns at Charlottetown in April while Red Shores Summerside returns to action in May.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)