Dustlanemissmolly stole the show in the Atlantic Breeders Crown Consolations with a track record performance in her first start for new connections on Saturday (October 8) at Charlottetown Driving Park.
Sent postward as the overwhelming favourite, Dustlanemissmolly ($2.10) dominated in the $5,000 consolation for three-year-old pacing fillies, setting a new divisional track record of 1:55 flat. The winning time lowered the former record that was held by Southview Special by one-fifth of a second.
With Marc Campbell along for the ride, Dustlanmissmolly led the field of eight sophomore fillies through fractions of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:25.4 en route to the 1:55 victory. The Brandons Cowboy-The Boss Daughter filly extended her leading margin throughout the mile, reaching the finish line 14-1/2 lengths in front of her nearest competitor. Silverhill Cupid finished second and Bugtown Superstar rounded out the top three.
The victory was the second in a row and seventh of the year from 23 starts for Dustlanemissmolly, who was acquired by Jennifer Trainor of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I. from Ronnie Gass after a Lady Slipper Stakes Gold victory in 1:56.3 on October 2.
Gold Record ($11.10) prevailed in the consolation for two-year-old filly pacers in 2:00.1, turning back mid-race challenger Pictonian Dazzle and then holding off the favoured Woodmere Finesse, who recovered from an early miscue and rallied from last only to miss by half a length. Bernard McCallum drives and trains the Brandons Cowboy-Goddards Art filly, who now has two (consecutive) wins in seven career starts, for owner Gordon McCabe of Truro, N.S.
With Gilles Barrieau catch-driving, favourite Pownal Bay Saul ($4.90) held off J J Cassius and Ashes To Ashes for a 2:00 half-length victory in the two-year-old colt pace. The homebred Camshaft Hanover-Stylet Hanover gelding hails from the Tom Weatherbie stable and is owned by Ian Smith of Charlottetown. Pownal Bay Saul earned his first career win in his ninth outing.
There was a dead-heat for the win in the three-year-old pacing colt consolation as Silverhill Storm ($4.70) and trainer/driver Jason Hughes emerged from the pocket to match strides with the popular pacesetter K D Overdrive ($2.10) and Barrieau at the wire in 1:56.4. A Bs Future finished third. Silverhill Storm is a gelded son of Proven Lover out of Southwind Miranda owned by Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I. The victory was his second in a row and a new lifetime mark. Stephen Mason trains K D Overdrive, a Camystic-Stormy Sakra gelding owned by the Downey Stables of Quispamsis, N.B.
In other action, David Macmurdo opened the Saturday card with his first career training victory as Willi Ray ($14.60) defeated favourite J J Romeo in 1:57.4 with Gary Chappell in the sulky. The Kensington, P.E.I. horseman acquired Willi Ray in mid-September and the five-year-old pacer won his third start for the new trainer.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.