Zip The Lip and driver Brian MacPhee set a new track record for aged trotters in the $1,850 Lea Bell Memorial on Sunday at Red Shores Summerside. The time of the mile was 1:59 flat.
MacPhee rallied the trot star for the deep stretch victory, his fifth win in a row for owner/trainer Donald Sweet and his co-owner Orville Willis of O’Leary, P.E.I. Pleasure Girls (Walter Cheverie) finished over a length behind in second with Majian Dillon (James Ripley) third. The former record was set by Waiting On A Women on July 12, 2011 and equalled this year on July 30 by Frill Seeker (the fourth-place finisher in today's Open).
MacPhee and Sweet teamed up for a driving and training double when Pembroke Fella nailed the ninth race.
Rash B Havior, with Walter Cheverie catch-driving, won the afternoon feature pacing event in a sparkling 1:56.3 for owner/trainer Michael Peters of Emyvale, P.E.I. The open length score was his third win in a row. Narragansett (Jason Hughes) was second while Cambest Kisser (Gary Chappell) completed the triactor.
In other action, Pownal Bay Tia, in line to trainer Gary Chappell, knocked off favourite Tammysmist to claim the Cecil Stewart Memorial in 2:03 in race two. The filly is owned by Ken Smith of Bonshaw, P.E.I.
The harness racing community also honoured Leon Stewart with a special memorial horseshoe. The touching ceremony was held after race five on the afternoon. It was an emotional day for MacKenzie MacInnis after the memorial race for her great-grandfather Cecil and the ceremony for her great uncle Leon. The 20-year-old owner/trainer from Tyne Valley, P.E.I. experienced two winners from her stable on the program with Halfinthebag and Night Talker. The "racing gods" seemed to be with her on her day at the legendary Prince County oval.
Jason Hughes recorded a driving triple on the afternoon. The Stratford, P.E.I. native is now only two wins away from reaching leader Marc Campbell in the standings at Summerside.
Chappell also posted two winners on the program.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Summerside Raceway.
(With files from Red Shores)