A quintet of Grassroots divisions of the P.E.I. Colt Stakes Graduate Series headlined a strong 13-dash Thursday (May 29) card at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The P.E.I. Colt Stakes Graduate Series had a trio of $5,200 Grassroots divisions for pacing mares in races two, seven and 13, presented by JD Marine and Diving Inc.
Race seven had Promise Me Later ($2.20) extend her win streak to five-straight in 1:57.4. The Articulator mare controlled every step of the mile for David Dowling, trainer Jennifer Doyle and owner Kingsley Walsh, Frank Balcom, and Sam Walsh. Islebetu Islebeatu (Barrieau) completed the exactor, while Brokeandoutofgas (Marc Campbell) circled late to round out the triactor.
Freaky Fanny ($6.60) had the answer to every question in race two, powering through every station in 1:56.1 for trainer-driver Darren Crowe. The Artspeak mare opened up by seven-lengths to win for owner Josh Macdonald of Little Pond. Shelleys Spirit (Myles Heffernan Sr.) was second with Magnificent Mia (Gilles Barrieau) third.
The biggest upset of the night came in the final Graduate mares division in race 13 as Sensational Gal ($28.80) came first-over under the command of driver Barrieau to win in 1:57.1 for trainer Nicholas Oakes and owner J D Racing Inc., of Cornwall. Windemere Saddy (Marc Campbell) was second best while third went to Princess Halo (Kenny Arsenault).
There were also a pair of $5,200 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Graduate Series Grassroots divisions for pacing horses and geldings in races four and 10, presented by Kay’s Wholesale.
Front-end tactics did the trick in race four as Jack Boswall ($6.10) secured a decisive 1:56 victory with Marc Campbell aboard for co-owner and trainer Keith Macdonell and co-owners Mark Macdonell and Blenise Young. The Tobago Cays gelding cleared early and scored by open-lengths over Good Omen (Paul Langille), while Majestic Mason (Brady Sweet) claimed the show spot.
In the second division in race 10, Howmac Exclusive ($3.00) added his name to the winner's list with a 1:57.3 score for driver Corey MacPherson and trainer Les Waite, who co-owns with Leith Waite and Jim Gorman. The Source Of Pride four-year-old tracked the early tempo and surged through in the final eighth to win over Allaboutthecash (Brady Sweet) and Silver Spirit (Barrieau).
In the night’s lone trotting event in race nine, Buckhead Ridge ($3.30) extended his streak to four-straight to remain undefeated on P.E.I., for trainer Landon Campbell and owner Brady Doyle. Barrieau was in the seat for the 1:58.3 victory in the $3,850 dash. New Legacy (Dowling) and Final Text (Marc Campbell) completed the triactor.
Marc Campbell had four driving wins on the night and his son Landon Campbell conditioned horses to three wins. Trainer Doyle and driver Dowling teamed up for three wins on the card.
Live racing continues Saturday (May 30) evening at 6 p.m., at Red Shores Charlottetown.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)