Top Maritime pacer Outlawpositivcharg returned to the track to kick off his eight-year-old campaign on Saturday at Charlottetown Driving Park and debuted a winner like he has done in the past in the $2,200 Preferred Handicap
.
Trainer-driver Terry Gallant and the odds-on favourite left from post seven in the eight-horse field and settled away fourth during the :28-second opening quarter, which was posted by Casual Motion and Joey Pineau. Outlawpositivcharg advanced first over through middle splits of :59.1 and 1:28.3 before taking over command and opening up four and a half lengths. The Blissfull Hall-Electromagnetic gelding stopped the clock in 1:58 flat. Oakrock Almighty, driven by Ron Matheson, trailed the field for most of the mile after a post eight start, but closed well for second. Bet The House and Brodie MacPhee also closed well from the backfield to show.
Outlawpositivcharg has won his season's debut the last four consecutive years since arriving in Eastern Canada. He paid $5.80 to win for the 43rd time in his career.
Last year, the bay gelding put together a record reading 7-4-5 in 24 starts while banking over $23,000 for owner J. Fred Lamont of Calgary, Alta. The two-time Governor's Plate champion was also named Aged Pacing Horse of 2011 by the Prince Edward Island Standardbred Horse Owners Association at their annual awards dinner last month.
Eight-year-old trotting mare Juliare won the $1,500 Handicap Trot in her first start on the East Coast. The Angus Hall-Malaver miss wore down the popular pacesetter Warrawee Jade and Corey MacPherson to win by one length in 2:02 for trainer-driver Marc Campbell. She paid $7.90 to win as the 5-2 second choice. Pocket-sitter Duvar Road and Norm Myers finished third.
The former Ontario competitor was recently purchased by P.E.I. owners Gerard Baldwin of Mount Stewart, along with Ambrose Laybolt and Michael Bailey of Morell. Juliare, winner of The In Free Trotting Series Final as a freshman, has won 15 times while banking $113,621 lifetime.
Nova Scotia resident Anthony Stymest notched his second win in as many starts as a trainer with Hardy Mill Stable's five-year-old gelding Arabica scoring in wire-to-wire fashion in his own first start in the Maritimes during the card. Jason Hughes guided the favourite to a three and three-quarter length victory in 1:59 after leaving from post eight in his conditioning assignment. Stymest's first career win came on January 7 at Charlottetown Driving Park with Ideal Bid.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.