Forever Paradise wired the field to claim the top class Thursday at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park. The time of the mile was an impressive 1:56.2 on the cool night.
Marc Campbell, who leads all drivers in the Maritimes with wins on the season, sent the Kevin MacLean-trained Forever Paradise to the top and cut fractions of :27.3, :57.2 and 1:27 before putting away a challenge from a hard closing Cabo Pan Lucas (Vince Poulton) to take the major share of the purse for owner Reg MacPherson of Stratford, PE. Artners in Crime (Ron Matheson) was third.
Diamond Mine, with Willie Murphy in the bike, won the first trot class in 2:03.1 for trainer-co-owner Cindy MacDonald, Montague and Tanya MacKinnon, Souris. The winning connections were greeted in the winner’s circle by UPEI hockey panther Spencer Metcalfe.
The UPEI hockey night at the track continued in Race 4 when Heart And Guts rallied from the back of the pack to score in 2:01 for catch-driver Ron Matheson, trainer Ambyr Campbell and co-owner Brian MacPhee. UPEI hockey panther captain Mason Wilgosh was trackside for the presentation.
The next trot contest went to Majian Dillon for trainer-driver Jim Ripley in 2:01.2. The trotter held off a late challenge by Oceanview Kate to claim the win for owner Marylea Ripley, Amherst, NS.
Driver Jason Hughes had a four-win night while Walter Cheverie and Brad Smith recorded driving doubles on the 13-dash program.
Racing returns Saturday and Sunday afternoon in Charlottetown for the Atlantic Breeders Crown weekend of champions. Post time for both events is 1 p.m.
(CDP)
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Charlottetown Driving Park.