Three-year-old pacers were in the spotlight Thursday evening at the Charlottetown Driving Park, as the half-mile oval hosted a pair of prep races – one for O’Brien eligible colts and geldings and the other for Lady Slipper eligible fillies.
Ocean Prince was a front-stepping winner for driver Dale Spence in the $2,500 event for O’Brien eligibles.
The son of Westwardho Hanover-Pea In The Pod cut fractions of :30.1 and 1:01.3 before being pressed to the three-quarter pole by Haybartender. A narrow margin separated them at that marker in 1:33.1, but Ocean Prince dug in and wound up winning by three-quarters of a length over W C Marys Buddy in 2:03.1. Haybartender was third.
Elton Millar trains the sophomore, who broke his maiden in the process for partners Rebecca Blaisdell and Garth Jenkins.
Bayside Alexis used the same tactical approach to capture the $2,500 Lady Slipper eligible event for driver Kevin Murphy in 1:59.2.
The daughter of Westwardho Hanover-River Swing sliced out splits of :29.1, :59 and 1:29.4 before kicking home in :29.3 to win by 16 lengths over I Can Do It in 1:59.2. Lyndale Coco rounded out the Trifecta ticket.
Scott Dunn of Montague, PE owns and trains the pacing lass who also shed her maiden status.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Charlottetown Driving Park.