Mr Rielly will try to close out the 2022 P.E.I. racing season in the New Year’s Eve finale Saturday (Dec. 31) at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The capital oval presents a special 15-dash card starting at 6:30 p.m. to close out the calendar year.
The finale in Race 15 has Mr Rielly as the morning line favourite in the $3,000 dash from post six for trainer-driver Corey MacPherson and owner Jim Gorman of South Melville, P.E.I., and Darlene Compton of South Pinette, P.E.I. The four-year-old son of Steelhead Hanover has had a solid season in overnight action with eight wins, five seconds and three thirds from 26 starts for $16,964 in earnings including a 1:56.4 victory in his latest start.
JKs Pilot has post nine as the second choice in the field with newlywed David Dowling in the race bike as regular driver MacPherson is committed to his own trainee. Jeff Holmes of Orwell trains JKs Pilot for owner Hardcore Racing of Belfast, P.E.I. Spack Jarrow leaves off the rail control from the Raymond White barn with driver Marc Campbell set to make the finishing touches on his 13th straight driving title. Campbell sits with 145 wins in 2022 at Red Shores Charlottetown with Dowling in second place at 106 wins followed by Gilles Barrieau in third with 90 victories as a driver.
The $3,500 top class in Race 14 sees Blood Money as the top dog from post two for trainer-driver Campbell and owner Dr. Mitchell Downey of Saint John, N.B. He will have a fresh foe in the field as the George Rennison stable ships in from Truro, N.S., for the card and will race American Risk from post four in the feature with New Brunswick driver Todd Trites in the race bike. Other main top class entries include Stash It Away (Barrieau) and Mantario (Dowling).
A pair of horses will make their final career starts as they stare down the mandatory retirement age. Electric Syl (Trites) has post three in Race 6 of the night for owner Andrea Rennison of Nova Scotia with the 14-year-old 51-time winner making his final pari-mutuel start the day before he turns 15.
Race 2 has Cinder Angelina in the same boat from post four for trainer-driver Jaycob Sweet, who is leasing the 14-year-old from MacKenzie Arsenault of Alberton, P.E.I. The mare is a proven producer in her own right, raising five foals in earlier years before returning to the track in 2020.
Red Shores is launching a new Isle Pick 5 to open up the NYE card with a $1,500 guaranteed pool and low 15 per cent takeout. Players will also enjoy two Super Hi 5s and a late Pick 4.
For free race programs and the Race Day live broadcast go to redshores.ca. Wager from your mobile at hpibet.com. For entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Red Shores Charlottetown.
(Red Shores)