Buckhead Ridge strutted his stuff in another dominant victory in the $4,000 Open Trot at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park on Thursday, Oct. 2.
Buckhead Ridge ($2.50) pushed to the point from post seven, reaching the front at the quarter in :29.2, and he was on top unopposed through :58.1 and 1:27.4 middle fractions and widened his lead late to 5-1/2 lengths to complete the 1:56.1 victory. Rocket Blast (Corey MacPherson) sat closest but was no match for the going-away winner, while Fight Song (Jason Hughes) rallied for third.
Marc Campbell drove the winning five-year-old son of Nuncio-Tuonela for owner Brady Doyle of Stratford, P.E.I. Buckhead Ridge has been on a tear since moving to the Island with 15 wins in 21 starts this season. He has won 20 times and earned $144,337 in 56 career starts. He is trained by Landon Campbell, who reached 100 career victories earlier on the card as he won with Galway Girl ($3.70), piloted by his father, Marc.
Marc Campbell also won with the Mike McGuigan-trained Red Dirt Rock It ($5.10) in 1:57.4 as part of a driving triple
The toteboard lit up in Race 3 when Twin B Solitaire ($47.20) and trainer-driver Steven Murphy uncorked a deep-stretch rally to prevail in 1:59.3 ahead of 87-1 shot Sporty Spice (Brett Clow).
Race 5 was the National Electrical Trade Council Pace, which went to Sensational Gal ($3.90). She got every call and won in 1:56.2 for driver Gilles Barrieau, trainer Nicholas Oakes and owner JD Racing Inc.
Prince Edward Island live racing starts a busy stretch on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Red Shores Charlottetown. The card features a special presentation to the Charlottetown Gaudet’s Autobody Islanders, who won the Baseball Canada Men's National Championship. Red Shores Summerside then races on Sunday at 1 p.m. and Monday at 6 p.m., and Red Shores Charlottetown comes back for a Tuesday card with a 6 p.m. post time.
All of this in preparation for the upcoming Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale, with the preview slated for Oct. 9 from 3-7 p.m. and the sale getting underway at 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 10. Atlantic Breeders Crown weekend will be held afterwards at Red Shores Charlottetown with the consolation races on Oct. 11 and the finals on Oct. 12.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)