J K Special front-stepped her way to victory in the $4,780 first leg of the Atlantic Aged Mares Pacing Series, sponsored by Standardbred Canada, Red Shores Racetrack & Casino and PEIHRIA, on Saturday night at Charlottetown Driving Park.
Driven by Walter Cheverie, favourite J K Special established the lead early on over the sloppy track and was pressured by second choice Private Joke (John Holmes), who moved out in front at the half, but that foe broke stride taking herself out of contention and leaving J K Special alone on top to score by two and a half lengths in 2:01.2. Darling Jane (Gary Chappell) came on for second over General Luckypercy (Ron Matheson).
J K Special paid $3.50 to win. Joseph Smallwood trains and owns the homebred seven-year-old Cammibest-J K Beauty mare, who notched her third victory in 10 seasonal starts and 28th lifetime. Last year's Erwin Andrew Memorial Aged Mares Pacing Series champion now boasts a bankroll of $98,589.
The series, which is for aged pacing mares that are Canadian sired and/or 100 per cent Canadian owned, will continue on Sunday, July 22 at Truro Raceway. The third leg will be held on Saturday, September 8 at Fredericton Raceway followed by the fourth leg on Sunday, September 16 at Summerside Raceway. The final will be contested on Saturday, October 13 back at Charlottetown Driving Park
This week's $2,200 Preferred Pace was won by Outlawpositivcharg ($9.10), who went wire-to-wire in 2:01.3 for trainer-driver Terry Gallant and owner J. Fred Lamont of Calgary, Alta. The eight-year-old Blissfull Hall-Electromagnetic gelding prevailed by a length and a quarter over Oakrock Almighty (Ron Matheson) while favourite Arabica (Mark Bradley) finished four lengths behind in third. He paid $9.10 to win for the 45th time in his career.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.