Forever Paradise blasted off the gate to take the early lead and was able to hold off some late challengers to win the Sunday afternoon feature in 2:00 flat at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Driver Marc Campbell, who used rail control to his advantage in the $2,350 Preferred event, sent the Kevin MacLean trainee through some hot fractions of :27.4, :57.3 and 1:27.4 over the sloppy track with three second variant. The son of Western Paradise, who had a five-length margin at the head of stretch, was fading in the stretch, but was able to beat a pair of Trevor Hicken stable stars, longshot Painted Desert (Mark Bradley) and race favourite All Turain (Corey MacPherson), to secure the triactor ticket. The 1-4-6 combination returned $422.80. Forever Paradise notched his 16th victory from 32 starts this season for owners Reg MacPherson, David and Aaron MacKenzie.
Caliban Hanover reached a special milestone on the afternoon’s $1,950 Open Handicap Trot class. The veteran trotter, under the command of Walter Cheverie, recorded his 50th lifetime win for owner Wendell MacDonald and trainer Ron Gass. The Andover Hall gelding triumphed in 2:05.3 by more than four lengths over Neal (Brian Andrew) and I Aint No Lady (Corey MacPherson).
Campbell, Cheverie, Ken Murphy and Corey MacPherson posted driving doubles on the final Sunday card of the season.
Racing returns Saturday. Post time is 12:30 p.m.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)