In anticipation of its weekend cards of live harness racing at the Charlottetown Driving Park and Summerside Raceway, Red Shores has sent out a pair of releases in advance of its Saturday and Sunday programs.
The Charlottetown Driving Park will host a live card of racing on Saturday (first-race post time 6:00 p.m.), while the action will move to Summerside Raceway on Sunday (first-race post time 1:00 p.m.). The Sunday card will kick off Summerside's season of live racing
Big League will headline the CDP's Saturday’s card in the program's feature, Race 12, which will be contested for a purse of $2,300. The four-year-old son of Four Starzz Shark is at the top of his game with three straight winning performances for owner Jonah Moase of Cornwall and his trainer Steve Wotton. Kenny Arsenault gets the driving assignment from Post 5 against a power-packed field, which includes Island Pacing champion All Turain (Post 3, Marc Campbell) and Balanchine, who will start from Post 2 for driver Brodie MacPhee.
Former Governor’s Plate winners Outlawpositivcharg (to be driven by Terry Gallant) and Mcapulco (Ron Matheson) will also compete. Stakes superstar Touch of Lightning (Earl Smith) will have to maneuver from Post 7. Proven Lover, owned by Casey Gavin of Tignish and driven by Norris Rogers, will make his 2013 Island debut after having arrived home from Yonkers Raceway in New York. Arabica is back from Rideau Carlton in Ottawa.
The card also features Acton O So Royal, who will be looking for his fourth win in a row for driver Mark Bradley. JK Queen is the favourite in the trot class for Walter Cheverie. Cheverie and driver Ron Gass are battling for top spot in the Trot Challenge standings.
To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at the CDP, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
At Summerside on Sunday, customers will be treated to giveaways, cake, prize draws and new promotional plays for the 2013 season.
Rich Raider is the morning line favourite in the afternoon feature (Race 11). The Tyler Desroches trainee will start from the rail for driver Mark Bradley. The seven-year-old gelding has been sharp, as he finished fourth in his last start charted in 1:57.3. Pembroke Fella (Brian MacPhee) and Forever Paradise (Marc Campbell) are also listed as triactor contenders.
The line-up includes Bet the House for Gary Arsenault of Miscouche and his co-owner trainer Blaine McKenna. Bet the House is only making his second start this season, but he put up some impressive numbers in 2012 with eight wins from 29 starts, including four seconds and five thirds.
McKenna, who will also send out Sir Dutch with Brodie MacPhee listed to drive, was a multiple award winner at the Prince County Horsemen’s Awards banquet in April.
The field also includes Narragansett (Norris Rogers), Bowyer Hanover (Walter Cheverie) and Lisfinny (Terry Gallant).
In other action, Life Savior takes his winning streak to Summerside after back to back wins over Charlottetown. The veteran meets Dirt Track Momma who scorched Charlottetown on Thursday in 1:56.2 for Marc Campbell.
To view the harness racing entries for Sunday at Summerside, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Summerside Raceway.
(With files from Red Shores)