Papis Rocket was in a league of his own on Saturday, Oct. 24 as he dominated the featured $6,050 conditioned pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Jaycob Sweet sent Papis Rocket ($2.40) straight to the front from post one in the 11th race before carving out fractions of :28.1, :56.2 and 1:24. Papis Rocket then powered home in :28.1 to stop the clock in 1:52.1. The four-year-old son of Papi Rob Hanover-Real Touch won by 4-3/4 lengths for trainer Mike Ramsay. Fast Louie (Myles Heffernan Sr.) completed the Ramsay-trained exactor while Bettor Than Spring (Ken Murphy) finished third.
Papis Rocket is owned by Derrill Murphy of Lethbridge, Alta., Max Webster Stable of Inverness, N.S., Jennifer Ritchie of Kingston, N.B. and Ryan MacLeod of Souris, P.E.I. The stallion is now five-for-20 this year and 12-for-56 lifetime with $732,090 in earnings.
Ken Murphy and Marc Campbell shared top driving honours on the 12-race afternoon with three victories each, including a major upset for Murphy with Navalny ($29.90) in the eighth race. The Jeff Holmes trainee took command before the half and battled through the stretch to prevail in 1:54.3. Dale & Ronnie Rennie Inc. of Elmsdale, P.E.I. owns the eight-year-old gelding. Murphy opened his winning account in the first race with Ya Boy John ($7.60), who captured the opener in 2:02.2 for trainer Mark Bradley. The three-year-old gelding is owned by Kendra Holroyd of Charlottetown, P.E.I. and Suzanne Ramsay of Middle Sackville, N.S. The Harrington, P.E.I. reinsman returned to the winner’s circle in the third race with six-year-old gelding Friar Voltaire ($5.70), who controlled the mile and prevailed in 2:00 for trainer Basil Hunter of Stratford, P.E.I., who shares ownership with Eric and Luke Mutch of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I. and Douglas Molyneaux of Stratford.
Campbell’s three-win performance included a front-end victory with Mr Harris ($3.30) in the second race in 1:59.1. Earl Watts trains the three-year-old gelding for Debbie Denney of Brooklyn, N.S. The Orwell, P.E.I. reinsman returned to the winner’s circle in the ninth race with five-year-old stallion Metaman ($3.80), who delivered a gate-to-wire victory in 1:57.3 for trainer and co-owner David O’Brien and co-owner Linda O’Brien of Charlottetown. Campbell completed his driving triple in the afternoon finale with Hound On The Beach ($5.20), who controlled the tempo throughout and won in 1:53.3. Landon Campbell trains the six-year-old gelding for owner Martin Roy of Sayabec, Que.
Justcallmedoc ($29.60) provided a lucrative return for his backers in the seventh race as driver-trainer Keith Ford sent the eight-year-old stallion to the lead and opened up a commanding advantage. Justcallmedoc then cruised to victory in 1:59.3 for owners Ford, Douglas and David Neill of Charlottetown and Ben Matheson of Wheatley River, P.E.I.
Live racing continues on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Red Shores Summerside.
To view Saturday's results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)