Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park hosted a special Friday evening card for the final program of the meet as part of the O'Brien Awards weekend in Charlottetown, P.E.I. with numerous nominees attending.
With the best in Canadian harness racing in attendance, five-year-old pacer Howmac Maximus put the quickest trip of his career together as part of a special unveiling at the racetrack.
With the former Turf's Bar and Grill on the ground floor of Red Shores Charlottetown being renovated in preparation for the 2024 meet, General Manager David MacKenzie announced the new branding for the space as O'Briens Social Bar and Kitchen on Friday evening in honour of legendary Alberton, P.E.I. horseman Joe O'Brien and his family.
The race 10 O'Briens Social Bar and Kitchen Pace went to an upset-minded Howmac Maximus in a lifetime-best 1:55.4 mile in line to Damian MacLellan for trainer Tammy Collings and owner Brett MacDonald.
The Jeff Holmes stable continued to dominate Red Shores Charlottetown, teaming up with driver Brady Sweet, to win the Allstar Cresting Pace with Southfield Sandy in 1:59.2 followed by the P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owner's Association Pace with Elroy Shiner winning his third straight in 1:58 and the Standardbred Canada Pace with Rock N Roll Cays in 2:00.1.
David Dowling had the hot hands on the night, winning four races, including the Prince County Horsemen's Club Pace in 1:58.1 aboard Two Points then the Ocean 100.3 Pace with Youremyhearthrob in a 1:58.3 trip, both from his own stable. Shes Rockandfame remained undefeated in the P.E.I Harness Racing Industry Association Pace with Dowling driving for his brother, trainer Mike Dowling, in her fourth win of the year from as many starts. Blood Money (pictured above) snapped Rollwithhottytoddy's undefeated streak in the $3,600 Joe O'Brien Memorial feature for Preferred pacers as Dowling drove the son of Sweet Lou to a 1:57.4 victory for trainer Ron Matheson and owner Dr. Mitchell Downey.
Redland Sampson was victorious in the Red Shores Pace with a 1:59.3 for driver Ken Murphy and trainer Clifford Murphy.
Elm Grove Mistress went all the way in the MCA Consultants Inc. Pace in a 1:57.1 trip for driver Jason Hughes and trainer Jennifer Doyle.
Live harness racing is scheduled to resume on May 4 at Red Shores Charlottetown.
Standardbred Canada presents the 35th O’Brien Awards Gala on Saturday evening, Feb. 3 at the Delta by Marriott Prince Edward in Charlottetown.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)