With a two-race win streak on the line, Rose Run Quest will have to butt heads with an even longer win streak as he looks to conquer the Saturday evening (October 14) feature pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The action kicks off at 6:00 p.m. Atlantic with 14 dashes on tap, including the Maritime Breeders eliminations for two- and three-year-old trotters.
The $2,400 Preferred pace hits the track in race 13, with the Marc Campbell-trained and driven Rose Run Quest leaving from post four in the field of seven. Campbell, who celebrated career win number 500 as a trainer on Sunday afternoon with Island Energetic, also leads all drivers and trainers in Atlantic Canada as part of his record-breaking 2017 season. Rose Run Quest has been part of that action with wins in his last two races for owner Blair Hansen.
Elm Grove Kaboom has an impressive streak of three wins on the line, all in the 1:54-1:55 range, but the fact he is not he favourite speaks to the depth of his preferred rivals. Earl Smith will drive Elm Grove Kaboom this week as regular pilot Campbell must drive his own trainee. Forever Paradise has only missed the board once since Governor's Plate week action, but must contend with post seven this week for driver Gilles Barrieau.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac gives the slight edge to Rose Run Quest to defeat his Preferred competition.
"Rose Run Quest has been on a steady climb up the class ladder since Old Home Week and has yet to find a spot that doesn’t suit him and is sitting on back-to-back wins," MacIsaac said. "We’ll give him a slight edge but it’s so wide open, the tote board might be your best friend."
Other entries in the tough group include Mick Dundee (Don MacNeill), Ultimatelyhandsome (Kenny Arsenault), Caracci Hanover (Jason Hughes) and Adkins Hanover (Corey MacPherson).
The Maritime Breeders eliminations for trotters line up in races two and six for the two-year-olds and races four and eight for the three-year-olds.
Pappy Go Go leads the way in the sophomore division from post three in race four as he looks to defend his undefeated season for trainer-driver Campbell and owner Grayland Farm.
In two-year-old action, Buckaroo (Campbell) and Ticked (Myles Heffernan) meet up again in race two, as the top four in that field make next week's Maritime Breeders final. Atlantic Breeders Crown champion Windemeredontuworry has post two in the other rookie split (race six) for driver Barrieau.
Painted Desert Controls Rail In Red Shores Sunday Feature
Fresh off a mile in 1:54 and change and with rail control, Painted Desert has the target on his back in the Sunday afternoon (October 15) top class at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
First race post time is 1:00 p.m. for the 12-dash program with the veteran son of Western Ideal the morning-line choice in the race 11 $2,200 featured pace. Corey MacPherson drives the 25-time winner for trainer Trevor Hicken and owner Perry Burke. The compact field of five in the Sunday main event also has Old Buck (post two) for driver Kenny Arsenault and owner-trainer Alan MacDonald. Old Buck has been rock solid all season, not missing the board since May 28.
Race analyst Bo Ford thinks rail control will play right into Painted Desert's game plan.
"Painted Desert is coming off what might be his best race on red soil," Ford said. "He has been razor sharp since reporting to the Hicken stable, and with rail control today we feel he is the one to beat."
Other feature entries include Rash B Havior (Norris Rogers), Keep Coming (Dale Spence), and Machinthesand (Ken Murphy).
The $1,150 Cecil Stewart Memorial pace lines up in race two, with Mjs Little Martha attempting a memorable victory for co-owner and trainer Lester Stewart and co-owner Michael Stewart. Arsenault will drive the four-year-old daughter of Brandons Cowboy.
The Leon Stewart Memorial is carded as race four for a $1,250 purse, and Delightful Nights is the top pick from post two for driver MacPherson, trainer Blaine McKenna, and owners Jamie Whalen and Susanne MacKeigan.
To view Saturday’s harness racing entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Charlottetown Driving Park.
To view Sunday’s harness racing entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries – Summerside Raceway.
(Red Shores)