Victory Creed used rail control and a deep stretch challenge to shock the field and win the opening day feature in 1:56.3 at the Charlottetown Driving Park Entertainment Centre and officially launch the Countdown to the Cup
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Driver Brian Andrew engineered the winning trip after he put Victory Creed in the pocket and stalked pace setter Negrito and driver Gary Chappell through panels of :28.1, :58.2 and 1:27.1 before tipping out through the stretch to win the event. The four-year-old son of Artiscape-Presidents Lady is owned by Bill Andrew of Calgary. Negrito, owned by Ken Ramsey, David MacMurdo and Ken Graham of Kensington, held on for second while newcomer Hurricane Heide closed for third for owner Jamie MacKinley, Cornwall and trainer Earl Watts.
Just Jessie won the first race of the opening season for owner Alan Floyd of Montague. Gary Chappell did the driving for trainer Gerald MacDougall. The Chappell-MacDougall combination also connected for a victory with JJ Tackoor on the day.
Dr. Ian Moore sent two pupils back to the winner’s circle. The trainer of World Champion Shadow Play, who is expected to go his qualifying mile next Saturday at Charlottetown, drove Thunderfist to victory for his co-owners RG McGroup Ltd, Bathurst, NB, Serge Savard, Saint-Bruno, QC and Roger Burns, North Rustico. Moore recorded his driving double with Justin Art in the sixth.
To view Saturday's results, click here.
(Harness Racing PEI)