An octet of Atlantic Breeders Crown champions were decided on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 13) at Red Shores Charlottetown, and many divisional standouts — including sophomore pacing colt Red Dirt Boomer ($2.50) — delivered strong performances as expected.
Daniel Ross' Red Dirt Boomer proved peerless in the $20,000 Crown for three-year-old male pacers, leading every step of a 1:56.4 mile in rein to trainer-driver Gilles Barrieau. The son of Malicious strode to a clear lead from post four and controlled strong fractions of :28, :56.3 and 1:26.1 before opening up in upper stretch. In the end, Red Dirt Boomer defeated the closing Purple Poet by three lengths, while pocket rival Red Dirt Rocknroll finished a labouring third.
The Atlantic Breeders Crown title ran Red Dirt Boomer's win streak to eight, and it was the 17th win of his career.
Woodmere Oleksiak ($2.50) scored soundly in the $20,000 Crown for sophomore pacing fillies, winning an early duel with Howmac Sabrina before coasting clear by 3-1/2 lengths to win in 1:58. David Dowling set splits of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:27.4 with the daughter of Articulator, and the pair gained steady separation from a tiring second flight through the final turn. Emilys Angel circled from third-over to just take second over Cheeky Cherry, whose first-over attack stalled on the final turn.
Earl Watts trains 11-time winner Woodmere Oleksiak for Hollis Newson, Debbie Denney, Ric McNutt and Windemere Farms.
The $20,000 Crown for two-year-old pacing fillies saw Woodmere Skyroller ($5.60) sustain an extended first-over grind to wear down 3-2 favourite Saulsbrooks Ocean en route to a 1:58.4 victory. Corey MacPherson put the Rollwithitharry-Skylark Hanover filly in play from mid-division nearing a :58.3 half, and the pair advanced steadily through the third quarter to take charge before the final turn.
After wearing down Saulsbrook Ocean, Woodmere Skyroller dug in late to fend off a late push from pocket rival Na Naa Said So to prevail by a long neck. Woodmere Nasha lifted belatedly for third.
Kevin MacLean trains three-time winner Woodmere Skyroller for Reginald MacPherson.
Trainer Chris Davies accounted for all three components of the triactor in the $20,000 two-year-old colt and gelding pace, with Windemere Ryan ($5.80) parlaying a pocket trip into a 1-3/4 length victory, his sixth to date. Walter Cheverie protected the pocket with the Malicious-Rhondas Belle gelding through a :29.3 first quarter, and they continue to draft behind stablemate Mr Kelly through middle fractions of :58.4 and 1:29.1 before emerging in upper stretch to win in 2:00. The Big Chase overcame early road trouble to finish a ground-saving second, while Mr Kelly held narrowly for third.
The High Five Racing Stable owns Windemere Ryan, whose Crown victory was the sixth of his career.
There were no surprises in the $9,000 Crown for three-year-old trotters, as James Whalen Jr.'s Gettin Messi ($2.90) capped a dominant season with a resounding 9-1/2 length win over Thelastonestanding and Richsnortherndream. The gelded son of Armbro Barrister cleared early pacesetter Mile Hill Willie through a :29.1 first quarter before rating middle splits of :59.3 and 1:30 and then drawing away steadily for a comfortably 1:59.1 score.
Michael McGuigan drove Gettin Messi to his seventh consecutive win — and the 13th of his career — for trainer Leonard McGuigan.
Tequila Tuesday ($4.20) and Myles Heffernan Sr. narrowly prevailed in the $9,000 juvenile trot, starting sire Armbro Barrister's sweep of the finals for younger trotters. The colt out of Tymal Maroma duelled with Mykindofparty through a :30.1 first quarter, dismissed that one's first-over challenge early on the second circuit, and dug in to fend off a late charge from 4-5 favourite Mabou Ridge by a neck in 2:03.1. Go With Her finished third, beaten 16 lengths.
Myles Heffernan Jr. trains four-time winner Tequila Tuesday for owner Jackie Heffernan.
Driver Marc Campbell swept the Atlantic Breeders Crown events for older horses, with two of his trainees proving victorious among them as part of a training hat trick on thee 13-race card. Rose Run Quest ($4.20) rallied from the pocket to capture the $6,000 pace in 1:56.2, and Freddie ($2.90) vaulted clear through the final turn to win the $3,000 trot in 1:59.4. Additionally, Campbell partnered with Brian Ladner trainee Jordies Hope ($4.20) to sustain a first-over grind to victory in the $4,000 distaff pace.
To view Sunday's complete results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Red Shores Charlottetown.