Warrawee Jade, the Meridian Trotting Series champion earlier this year, recorded her second straight front end victory with trainer and co-owner Brian Andrew in the bike on Saturday afternoon in the $1,500 Open Handicap at Charlottetown Driving Park
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Warrawee Jade persevered in her quest for the lead, clearing to command ahead of favourite Napanee Seelster (Danny MacDonald) past the opening quarter. The six-year-old Angus Hall-Independent Dame mare was then confronted by Saulsbrook Balance (Willie Murphy), who edged out in front as they raced by the third quarter mark, but fought back down the stretch to prevail by a head in 2:02.1 over the 'good' surface. B J Eldorado (Mike Stevenson) finished one length behind in third off a second over trip.
Charlottetown's Brian Andrew shares ownership of the winner with Blake Andrew of Montreal, Que. The victory was her fifth of the year and 12th top three finish in 30 seasonal starts. The 18-time career winner has banked $11,768 of her $78,254 bankroll in 2011.
Warrawee Jade paid $6.40 to win as the 2-1 second choice.
CDP's $2,200 top pace was won by Oakrock Almighty and Ron Matheson as they converted from the pocket and edged out the favoured first over attacker, Last Art On Deck (Jason Hughes), in a mile time of 1:57.2. Pacesetter Carnivore (Marc Campbell) finished one and three-quarter lengths behind in third.
The five-year-old Rambaran-Best Undercover gelding is trained by Jackie Matheson for owners Jack Keenan of Stratford, P E.I., and C. Joseph Dahl of Burlington, Ont. This year's Cecil Ladner Memorial Pacing Series runner-up has hit the board in 12 of his 29 seasonal starts (five wins) while earning $11,855 along the way. The win was No. 15 in the black gelding's career and pushed his overall earnings to $54,620.
Oakrock Almighty paid $7.60 to win as the 5-2 second choice.
After winning two races on the card, Marc Campbell is only one away from matching the record for most driving wins at the Charlottetown track. Paul MacDonald set the 118 win record in 1987.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.