Elm Grove Kaboom wears the title of morning line favourite in the Thursday night feature at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park, but he will have to break apart a pair of win streaks to land in the historic winner's circle.
The Thursday evening program kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Atlantic with 10 dashes on tap. The ninth-race Canadian Public Works Association Atlantic Chapter pace carries a $2,100 purse as the evening feature with a six-horse field. Elm Grove Kaboom is fresh off a 1:55.2 romp at Red Shores Charlottetown and is reunited with driver Marc Campbell, who is on track to smash all driving records at the capital oval with 114 wins already this season. Elm Grove Kaboom is installed as the top choice from post three for trainer Earl Smith and owners Larry and Kathy Chappell.
Simon Said rides a two-race win streak into the event with post four for trainer Joey Squires, but loses the pilot that delivered those victories, as driver Corey MacPherson elects to drive Painted Desert from post one. Gilles Barrieau picks up the drive on Simon Said this week. The other horse with a win streak on the line is Keep Coming from post five, with Myles Heffernan in the bike for trainer Brian Andrew. Gary Chappell was in the bike for Keep Coming's last two victories but will drive his own horse, Oh To Be Me, from post two this week. Likely To Win leaves from post six for driver Adam Merner as third choice in the race.
Race analyst Les MacIsaac puts his faith in the favoured Elm Grove Kaboom to stage a repeat of last week's performance.
"Elm Grove Kaboom barely broke a sweat in delivering as the overwhelming favourite last week, a distinction he’ll likely have again this week," MacIsaac said. "With him at basically the same level for this one, he’s got a good shot to double up."
The Tom and Margaret Claybourne Memorial Trot will go on race five, with Majian Chester installed as the morning line favourite for trainer-driver James Ripley.
Cougar Gal makes her Island debut in race eight, leaving from post two for driver Merner and trainer Drew Neill. Neal Moase owns the nine-year-old daughter of American Ideal who has 23 lifetime wins and over $75,000 in earnings but has not made a start since March at The Raceway At Western Fair District in London, Ont.
Check out www.redshores.ca for race programs, live video and more.
(Red Shores)