Championship Sunday (Oct. 12) will bring together the best in Atlantic harness racing as Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park hosts the 2025 Atlantic Breeders Crown Finals.
The city oval will present a 16-dash program beginning at 12:30 p.m. (ADT), with more than $300,000 in purse money on the line and divisional champions to be crowned across the pacing and trotting ranks.
The $40,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown for two-year-old pacing colts hits the track in race six, sponsored by MacRae’s Backhoe & Trucking. Sporty Anthony (Ken Murphy) will leave from post two for trainer Jason Biggar after nothing but top three finishes all season. He will battle Zero Two Sixty (Gilles Barrieau) from post seven and Woodmere Kobe (Kenny Arsenault) from post five in a deep field.
The two-year-old pacing fillies clash in their $40,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown in race eight, also presented by MacRae’s Backhoe & Trucking. Windemere Skye (Marc Campbell) will start from post six with her perfect season on the line for trainer Earl Watts as her seven rivals include Beach Jewels (Barrieau) and Bakers Dozen (Corey MacPherson).
Sophomore pacing fillies will line up in their $40,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown in race 13, again under the MacRae’s Backhoe & Trucking banner. The Bill Lanigan-owned and trained Badgirl Bridgette (Jason Hughes) will look to add to her winning resume from post five while Elm Grove Talia (David Dowling) and Tobins Dream (Barrieau) are among the talented field.
The three-year-old pacing colt division in race 15 carries another $40,000 purse and features a competitive lineup of eight. Malevolent (Paul Langille) leads the morning line at 5-2 after a dominant campaign on the Atlantic circuit. His toughest challenges appear to be Bentley (Clare MacDonald) from post seven, Phil My Beer (Marc Campbell) in post eight and Rosetown Eclipse (Corey MacPherson) with post three.
The day’s second dash features the $22,500 Atlantic Breeders Crown for two-year-old trotters presented by the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association. Little Louis (MacPherson) gets top billing with his eight-race win streak on the line for trainer Kuri White from post two.
Three-year-old trotters will square off in race four for their own $22,500 Atlantic Breeders Crown. West River Jet (Kenny MacDonald) has post eight and is the morning line favourite for trainer Clare MacDonald.
Race 11 hosts the $15,000 Island Oceans Trot Challenge final, presented by Burkie By The Bay Stables.
The $20,000 Steven & Joe MacRae Memorial Open Mares final goes in race 14 with seven of the region’s top pacing mares.
The $50,000 Premier’s Cup in race 16 will close the championship card with an all-star field of Open pacers. Gold Cup and Saucer champion Miki Shan N (Corey MacPherson) carries the 5-2 morning line favourite role from the Chris MacKay stable from post one.
To view Sunday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
Atlantic Breeders Crown Consolations Take Center Stage Saturday
The stars of Atlantic Canadian harness racing return to Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park on Saturday afternoon for the Weekend Of Champions as part of the season-ending championship weekend.
Post time for the 14-dash Saturday card is 12:30 p.m. (ADT), including multiple $10,000 MacRae’s Backhoe & Trucking Atlantic Breeders Crown Consolation divisions for two and three-year-old pacers.
The pacing rookies will start the championship program in race three in the $10,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown Consolation for two-year-old fillies, where a wide-open group will clash. Uptown Tonight (Myles Heffernan Sr.) is the favourite with post four for owner/trainer Myles Heffernan Jr.. The Tobago Cays filly will look for her first win of the season as she takes on Isle Mach Da Money (Gilles Barrieau) with post three and Elm Grove Uncannie (Ken Murphy) from post five.
Race six has the colt companions taking the spotlight in the $10,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown Consolation for pacing colts. Windemere Barkley (Marc Campbell) looms a major threat from post two as the 5-2 morning line favourite after steady performances all season for trainer Zach Mullins, who co-owns with Cole and Ross Mullins. The Somewhere Fancy colt has mains challenges from Bet On Evil (Mike McGuigan) and Shekhan (Barrieau).
Race nine has the sophomore pacing fillies will lining up in the $10,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown Consolation where a deep and talented group will square off. Mindbodyandsoul (Paul Langille) is the top selection from the Earl Watts barn with post seven for owners Beryl McNeil, Sterling Buchanan, Jack Quinn and Windemere Farms. Lorne Valley Liv (Kenny Arsenault) and Jafetica (Hefferan Sr.) are the main challengers.
The glamour boys take to the track in race 12 in the $10,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown Consolation for three-year-old pacing colts, which brings together a power-packed field led by Dont Come Lookin (Murphy) for trainer Chris Davies and owners Harold, Ariane and Angelie Duguay. The Tobago Cays colt is a four-time winner this season. Other top selections include Big Pond Cash (Marc Campbell) and Jackie Pang (Corey MacPherson) from post four.
The undercard features a strong lineup of memorial races celebrating Island harness racing families and contributors. Race two is Atlantic Classic Sale Pace, while race four is slated as the Oliver & Sarah Poulton Memorial and race five as the MacPhee Memorial. Race eight is the Gary “Scribes” Poulton Memorial and race 10 the PEIHRIA Pace.
To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)