Mappos Lion will look to unleash his devastating closing speed this Saturday (Oct. 10) in the $50,000 Premier's Cup at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The capital oval has a 16-dash presentation starting at 5 p.m. (ADT) with a slew of major championship finals highlighting the program.
The $50,000 Premier's Cup closes out the evening in race 16 with Mappos Lion drawing post seven for driver Ryan Desroche and trainer Taylor Doyle. The nine-year-old son of Sunshine Beach is owned by Hailee Currie of Rocky Point, P.E.I., and Carol Campbell of Baddeck, N.S.
Mappos Lion has been sensational in recent weeks, including a blistering 1:50.3 victory on Oct. 4 when he closed in :26.3 to defeat Ammo and Fast Louie. The veteran also captured the $10,000 P.E.I. Free-For-All on Sept. 26 in 1:51.1 and the $10,000 Richard Campbell Memorial on Sept. 12 in 1:53.
Ammo is the 5-2 morning line favourite from post six with Marc Campbell driving for trainer Ron Matheson. The millionaire pacer will look to turn the tables on Mappos Lion after finishing second to him in their latest meeting. Arbitrage Hanover is the 3-1 second choice from post two for trainer-driver Ken Murphy while Miki Shan N (Corey MacPherson) is another top contender from post three.
The Post Time Picks places Mappos Lion on top of the championship field.
“Mappos Lion has flashed explosive speed to reel in his competition over the month, and Ryan Desroche has done a fantastic job driving him. From this outside post, I'm confident Ryan can find live cover and use his great late speed to win this year's Premier's Cup.”
The $50,000 Aged Pacing Mares Series Final, presented by Standardbred Canada, takes to the track in race 14 with Lady Cafe Au Lait looking to continue her incredible winning streak. Campbell drives the Earl Watts trainee from post five as the 5-2 morning line favourite. The four-year-old daughter of Big Jim is Island-owned by Windemere Farms of Springvale and Matt and David Burke of Stratford. Her chief rivals include Trumps Girl (Jason Hughes) from post four, Windemere Saddy (Murphy) from post two and Brokeandoutofgas (Gilles Barrieau) from post three.
The $16,000 Island Oceans Trot Series Final, presented by Burkie By The Bay Stables, lines up in race seven with Fight Song favoured at 5-2 from post three. Hughes drives the Ashley Gamester trainee against West River Jet (Kenny Arsenault) from the rail and Buckhead Ridge (Campbell) from post five.
The $12,000 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Graduate Series Grassroots Final for pacing mares, presented by Red Shores, is slated for race 10 with Steady Heart the 5-2 morning line favourite from post two. Campbell drives the Bo Ford trainee against Freaky Fanny (Darren Crowe) from post three and Promise Me Later (Paul Langille) from post five.
The pacing horses meet in their $12,000 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Graduate Series Grassroots Final, presented by Red Shores, in race 11 with Good Omen the 5-2 favourite from the rail for trainer-driver Langille. Bettim Alive (Jaycob Sweet) is the 3-1 second choice from post two while DJ Mustang (Desroche) is another leading contender from post five.
The $20,000 P.E.I. Free-For-All Series Consolation is featured in race 12 with Papis Rocket the 5-2 morning line favourite from post three. Langille drives the Mike Ramsay trainee against Fast Louie (Keith Legge) from post five and Twin B Tuffenuff (Barrieau) from post eight.
The $20,000 Aged Pacing Mares Series Consolation takes to the track in the sixth race with Badgirl Bridgette the 5-2 favourite from post two. Campbell drives for trainer Bill Lanigan against Miss Dutton (Desroche) from the rail and Oh Ophelia (Barrieau) from post five.
The P.E.I. Colt Stakes Graduate Series Grassroots Consolation for pacing mares has a $6,000 purse in the fourth dash with Woodmere Kennedie the 5-2 morning line favourite from the rail. Campbell drives the Landon Campbell trainee against Mia (Adam Merner) and Lady Llamrei (Hughes).
The $6,000 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Graduate Series Grassroots Consolation for pacing horses lines up in the ninth with Big Pond Cash the 5-2 favourite from post four. Campbell drives for trainer Earl Watts against Rosiesmightymoe (Barrieau) and Mappo Oriley (Desroche).
To view the entries for Saturday's stakes-laden card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)