On the eve of the Atlantic Breeders Crown championships, a quartet of $5,000 consolation races were featured for the pacing divisions on the Saturday program at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
In the first consolation, Scott Dunn's homebred two-year-old pacing filly Riverboat Dancer converted off a pocket trip to defeat pacesetter Camtizzy by a head in 2:02.3. Mike Stevenson drove the Ameripan Gigolo miss for trainer Wade Sorrie.
With Gilles Barrieau catch-driving, Brandons Glory recovered from an early miscue in the two-year-old pacing colt consolation and went on to win in 2:00.3 by one and a quarter length over Howmacsblackjack. Tommy Gunn trains the winning son of Brandons Cowboy for owners Cindy Gunn and Dale Spence.
In the consolation event for three-year-old filly pacers, Invader M romped to a six and a quarter length victory, stopping the teletimer in 2:00.4, with Clare MacDonald aboard for trainer Kevin MacLean and owner Reginald MacPherson. The D M Dillinger filly was followed under the wire by runner-up Bossy Brilla.
Clare MacDonald also scored a training win in the sophomore colt pace consolation as George kept Arnold Dick at bay and then drew off by more than five lengths in 2:00.1. The homebred Western Paradise gelding, who is owned by Riley Farms Ltd. and Earith Riley, was driven by Rinaldo MacDonald.
On the evening's undercard, former Atlantic Breeders Crown consolation winner Forever Paradise went wire-to-wire in 1:57.3 in the $2,350 Preferred Pace, with Gilles Barrieau driving for the Kevin MacLean stable and owners Reginald MacPherson, David Mackenzie and Aaron Mackenzie.
Foxyhall Racing's trotting mare Thunderaway and trainer/driver Jason Hughes wore down Pleasure Girls to take the weekly $1,950 Open Trot by half a length in 2:03.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.