Dunmore Alpha went wire-to-wire to win Saturday afternoon’s $1,400 Open Handicap Trot at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park
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Driver Mark Cullen sent Dunmore Alpha to the lead from Post 5 and the son of Black River-Princess Victory carved out fractions of :29.4, 1:00.4 and 1:31.3 en route to a two length victory in 2:04 over a track rated three seconds slow. The 3-2 favourite, Caliban Hanover and driver Ronnie Gass, journeyed first over to finish second while Wine Merchant and Joey Pineau came on for third.
Dunmore Alpha paid $7.70 to win as the second choice in the field of seven. Edward Smallwood trains and owns the eight-year-old gelding, who earned his first win of the year in two starts. The victory was his 32nd lifetime and lifted his earnings to $59,954.
Blu Meadow Willie hooked up with Wiggins Hanover, Electric Moves and Life Savior in a deep stretch battle and that led to an exciting finish in the $1,900 feature pace. The judges called for a win photo and determined that Blue Meadow Willie, co-owned by trainer-driver Robert and Brenda MacInnis of Summerside, won the race by a nose in 2:00 flat. Wiggins Hanover and Jason Hughes were second while Electric Moves, with Gary Chappell catch-driving, finished third by a head. Life Savior just missed being part of the ticket and settled for fourth.
The victory was the seven-year-old Drop Off-Blu Meadow Eve gelding's first of the year in two starts and 22nd lifetime pushing his earnings to $46,228.
Dawnbrae Echo and driver David Carey avoided serious injuries in the finale after the eight-year-old mare made a break and fell after the first quarter.
To view Saturday's results, click here.
(With files from Red Shores)