Blood Money seeks his third straight score in the Preferred Pace, the highlight of the 11-dash card on Saturday, April 25 that kicks off the 2026 season of harness racing at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The season opener has a 12:30 p.m. (ADT) opening post time. The program is part of the grand opening celebrations from 11 a.m - 2 a.m. which includes a special ribbon cutting ceremony in the main lobby after the third race. The afternoon race card will feature second chance draws for race customers including a chance to win a new 55-inch big screen TV from the P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owners Association.
The $6,250 Preferred Pace in Race 10 features Blood Money as the morning line favourite from post two for driver Gilles Barrieau, trainer Ron Matheson and owner Dr. Mitchell Downey of Saint John, N.B. Barrieau starts off the season in a tie for top driver with Jason Hughes, each at nine wins so far in 2026.
Jennifer Doyle leads the training race at this early point in the season with seven wins, ahead of Matheson in second at six wins and Ashley Gamester holding down third at five victories. In Saturday's Preferred Pace, Doyle sends out post five starter Captainofrocknroll (To be driven by David Dowling) and rail sitter Shake N Blake (Ken Murphy).
Freemans Legacy (Jaycob Sweet) is the post two entrant while James "Roach" MacGregor Gold Cup and Saucer consolation winner Nuttin But Finesse gets post four with veteran reinsman Mike Downey in the drivers' seat.
The first dash on the season opener has Howmac Exclusive and 2025 Gold Cup and Saucer winning driver Corey MacPherson at the controls for 1973 Gold Cup and Saucer winning driver Les Waite, who conditions the son of Source Of Pride for co-owners Jim Gorman and Leith Waite. The 11-time winner has drawn post seven in the field as he takes on Moon Bound (Dowling), Freight Air (Brodie MacPhee), Rymar Jimbo (Steven Murphy), Proudofyatoday (Dave Kelly Sr.), Brookdale Jim (Paul Langille) and Redland Sampson (Murphy).
Mantario (Dowling) is the top selection in the fifth race, the Red Shores Opening Day Pace. Co-owned by trainer Jennifer Doyle along with Max Webster Stable and Melissa MacRae, the son of Sportswriter — a former longtime Doyle pupil — had been racing at Monticello Raceway over the winter months but was reacquired by the current connections in March.
The full 2026 schedule for Red Shores Charlottetown is available here. For Saturday's entries, click one of the following links: Red Shores Charlottetown - Saturday Entries || Saturday Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT).
(with files from Red Shores)