As the longest shot on the board, Rocknrols Image shocked the top mares class Saturday afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Sophist was first to the lead in the $2,500 top pacing mares class and driver David Dowling steered her through fractions of :30, :59.4 and 1:30.3 but was unable to hold off a hard closing Rocknrols Image in 2:00.2. Kenny Arsenault was at the lines of the Kevin Gillis trainee at 29-1 odds for owner David MacDonald of Belfast. Second went to Tell Me Why while Sophist was third.
The featured pace of the day was ruled a no-contest by officials of the Atlantic Province’s Harness Racing Commission as Midnight Matt (Hughes) made a break and fell in the first quarter of the mile. Both horse and driver walked away from the incident unscathed.
Hughes had a driving triple on the program winning with Winter Blast in 1:59.4 for conditioner Jennifer Doyle of Earnescliffe, Smart Official in 2:01.2 for Peter Lanigan of Montague and Fusspot in a maiden breaking score of 2:03 from the Marc Campbell stable of Charlottetown.
Live racing continues next Saturday (Dec. 21) at Red Shores Charlottetown.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.