Forever Paradise, under the command of Mike McGuigan, held off a fast-closing DGs Camme (Gilles Barrieau) to win the Saturday night (June 11) feature in a sparkling 1:56.3.
McGuigan hustled the Kevin MacLean-trained Forever Paradise, owned by Reg MacPherson and David and Aaron MacKenzie, off the gate from post six and cruised through fractions of :28, :58.3 and 1:27.2 en route to the quarter-length victory in the $2,400 Preferred Pace. Warrawee Phoenix (Mark Bradley) and First Art Down (Ken Murphy) finished third in the dead-heat.
The evening showcased the Maritime Breeders eliminations and it was the Barrieau, Mason and Downey team of New Brunswick that took two $3,000 divisions for the three-year-old colts. Jackson K Down went gate-to-wire in 1:56.3 while stable-star K D Overdrive had to make a sweeping move down the backstretch to earn a berth in the final. The time of the mile was 1:57.1. Heart And Soul won his colt stakes assignment for Clare MacDonald in 1:57.3.
The filly eliminations went to Glory Jean for driver Mark Bradley, trainer Tom Weatherbie and owner Blair Hansen. The time of the mile was 1:58.1. Howmacscanasta rallied from a slow start to take top honours, also in a 1:58.1 mile, to give Barrieau a driving triple on the program.
In other action, Ramblinglily (Walter Cheverie) captured the $2,350 Open Mares class in 1:56 flat, but the biggest mile of the night went to OK Galahad in a dazzling 1:54.4. Jason Hughes, who posted a driving double, was in the bike for Robi Hughes and Foxyhall Racing.
Trevor Hicken recorded a training double with Bazillion and Burkes Bandit.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)