Bazillion, under the command of Brian MacPhee, captured the featured event on Saturday night (April 23) as the 2016 spring-summer meet began at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
MacPhee sent the Trevor Hicken-trained Bazillion, owned by Kent Livingston of Cornwall, P.E.I., to the point in the $2,350 Preferred event and never looked back, laying down fractions of :29.4, 1:00.2 and 1:29.4 before closing the mile in 2:00.1. Newcomer Euchred (Jason Hughes) was second while Eagle Jolt (Marc Campbell) finished third. Idealic Life was fourth. Bolero Trisco was a late scratch.
Swingirl and Corey MacPherson opened up the meet with top honours for the new ownership group Redislandhorseownersclub of Stratford, P.E.I. The six-year-old mare was making her first start on P.E.I. MacPherson also paraded Brodys Leona to victory lane for owners Kerry and Emily Taylor and Lisa Richards.
Driver/trainer Jason Hughes also opened the campaign with a driving double with victories aboard Blue Star Outlaw and Cambest Kisser for the Donald and Steven MacRae stable of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I.
Tempo Seelster claimed the PEI Poker Challenge Pace for catch-driver Todd Walsh and owner/trainer Vince Poulton of Charlottetown.
Racing returns next Saturday at 6 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)