It was Super Sunday at Red Shores Summerside featuring a stakes-filled day honouring the Joe O’Brien Memorial, Lady Slipper and the Atlantic Aged Mares Final.
The big showdown of the afternoon went to Dixieland Band and driver Gilles Barrieau after they teamed up to fend off a fast-closing Proven Desire in their respective gold division of the O’Brien.
Proven Desire, under the command of Marc Campbell, took his shot when Campbell angled him out en route to the three-quarter pole with the big colts going toe-to-toe through the stretch, but it wasn’t quite enough. Woodmere Fullalife (Paul Langille) completed the triactor.
Dixieland Band has 11 wins from 16 starts for owners David and Aaron MacKenzie and Reg MacPherson. The colt, who toured the Prince County oval in 1:56.1, is trained by Kevin MacLean.
The victory was Barrieau’s fourth trip to the winner’s circle.
J J Romeo, in line to Mike Stevenson, captured O’Brien gold for owner Daniel Ross of Belfast, PE. The runner-up was Bngs Express (Danny Romo).
The three-year-old fillies were in action with the Lady Slipper stakes with Campbell taking both gold splits aboard Three Pink Bows and Dustylane Msvickie. This year’s Gold Cup & Saucer winning pilot recorded a driving triple which included a score with trotter Paymenowpaymelater for trainer Earl Watts and owner Wade Peconi of Stanchel, PE.
The stage was also set for the nine finalists in the Atlantic Aged Mares Final for $16,517 presented by Standardbred Canada.
Rail sitter For All We Know knocked off race favourite Ramblinglily in 1:57.1. Gary Chappell engineered the winning drive for trainer Jackie Matheson and owner Bruce Wood of Marshfield, PE. Ramblinglily (Walter Cheverie) was second with Brodys Leona (Ken Murphy) third.
(Summerside Raceway)
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Summerside Raceway.