The Stephen Quinn Stable was just two horses strong all season but they can now both call themselves Atlantic Sires Stakes champions after Atlantic Breeders Crown day on Sunday, Oct. 8 at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Zendayas Firstlady took a pocket ride to victory in line to Myles Heffernan Sr., for trainer Quinn and owner John Quinn of Charlottetown in the $25,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown for two-year-old pacing fillies, presented by MacRae’s Backhoe and Trucking. The time of the mile was 2:01 over a sloppy track after heavy rains earlier in the day in Charlottetown delayed the race program an hour. Starship Beauty (David Dowling) finished narrowly second while pacesetter Shesjusmsundrstood (Jason Hughes) was third.
The sophomore pacing filly Atlantic Breeders Crown had Next In Line crowned champion after a 1:57.1 victory for driver Jason Hughes and trainer Stephen Quinn for owner John Quinn. Defending champion Our Girl Annie (Corey MacPherson) had to settle for second with Saulsbrook Abbey (Adam Merner) completing the $206.70 triactor ticket.
Tobins Chester gave Hughes his first ever Atlantic Breeders Crown training victory in the $25,000 two-year-old colt pace, stopping the clock in 1:57.4 for owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge, PE.I. Hughes had just one Atlantic Breeders Crown victory previous to this race, and that came as a driver aboard Seanchai in 2014, while his third one as a driver came quicker as the aforementioned Next In Line gave it to him later in the day. Jackies Boy (Heffernan) came rushing late to finish second in the rookie final with Merigo Magic (Merner) third.
Malignity toyed with his rivals in 1:56.1 in the $25,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown for three-year-old pacing colts for his 10th straight win, with Bacononabiscuit (Marc Campbell) and Woodmere Dealer (Hughes) rounding out the top three finishers. Paul Langille trains and drives Malignity for owners Rosanne Langille of Lower Onslow, N.S. and Debbie Francis of Sweets Corner, N.S.
Rebounding from his first career loss following an uncharacteristic miscue in last weekend's Summerside stakes action, Irish Ray found himself back in the winner’s circle after taking the $15,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown three-year-old trot in 2:01.4 for trainer/driver Marc Campbell and owner Three Wisemen Stable of Kingston, P.E.I. He is now 18-for-19 lifetime. Windemeregotmuscle (Hughes) was second ahead of Dynamical Tad (Kenny Arsenault).
The Lenny Myers-trained Dusty Lane Wee was the best in the $15,000 Atlantic Breeders Crown two-year-old trot with a 2:02.3 score in line to Campbell for owners Garry MacDonald of Dundas, Ont., and breeder Ronnie Gass of Cornwall, P.EI. Second went to Gettin Tipsy (Mike McGuigan) while Camco Laraido (Ken Murphy) held down third.
In other stakes action on Sunday, the $12,600 Fox Group Trot final was won by Jessiejesorjessica in a 1:59.2 trip for driver Dowling and trainer Jennifer Doyle, who sent out four winners on the card.
Chelski landed on top of the $15,500 Steven and Joe MacRae Memorial final for aged pacing mares with a neck decision in 1:56.1 for driver Corey MacPherson and trainer Doyle.
Roll Em and Campbell capped of the card in the $35,000 Premier’s Cup, winning in 1:54 for trainer Brent Campbell.
Betterthanbutter, driven by Colin Sheppard, walked off the track under his own power after making a miscue and falling in the stretch of the fifth race, which was won by Phil Dorleans and trainer/driver Hughes in 1:57.2.
Total wager was $192,320 for the 16-race afternoon card.
Live harness racing continues on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at Red Shores Summerside.
To view Sunday's complete harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores / Photos by Gail MacDonald of the stakes winners on 2023 Atlantic Breeders Crown day, each row from left to right: Dusty Lane Wee, Irish Ray, Zendayas Firstlady; Tobins Chester, Next In Line, Malignity; Jessiejesorjessica, Chelski, Roll Em)