Taking every inch of racetrack to his advantage, Middleton Terror got up for the win in the Saturday evening (May 13) $3,800 Preferred Pace at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Time To Dance (driven by Marc Campbell) was the heavy favourite and protected post one from the start as he surfed the cones to release Rose Run Quest (Adam Merner) to the lead only to retake moments later at the :27.4 opening quarter. Time To Dance struck the half in :57.3 and then found himself under siege at the three-quarters of 1:27.2 by Matticulous GB (Ken Murphy) while eventual winner Middleton Terror (David Dowling) was second-over in the flow. Time To Dance fought back to regain the lead at the head of the stretch but Middleton Terror tipped out and set his sights on the wire and got up for a neck decision in 1:55.3. Time To Dance was second while Blood Money (Jason Hughes) rallying for third.
David Dowling trains Middleton Terror, a son of Stonebridge Terror, for owners Kingsley Walsh and Frank Balcom.
Dowling had a trio of driving wins as he also scored with Starship Art (1:59.4 winning mile) for trainer Earl Watts and Mantario (1:55.3) from the Jennifer Doyle stable in the finale. Doyle also won the Race 1 opener with Winter Blast (Jason Hughes) in 1:57.3.
The historic winner’s circle saw lots of Adam Merner on Saturday evening as the Charlottetown reinsman won a quartet of dashes including wins with Hemingway (1:59.1) and Impeccable Shadow (1:55.4) from the Melissa Rennie barn and a 2:00.1 victory with Whims Drop Off for trainer Ken Wilkie. Neptune Seelster provided the upset of the night in Race 2 as the Michael Gallant trainee lit up the toteboard in deep stretch at 36-1 odds in 1:59.1 in line to Merner.
Live harness racing continues Thursday (May 18) and Saturday (May 20) evenings at 6 p.m. (ADT) at Red Shores Charlottetown with Red Shores at the Summerside hosting their season opener on Victoria Day (May 22).
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)