Three-year-old pacing fillies and colts faced off in eliminations for the Maritime Breeders Stakes on Saturday at Charlottetown Driving Park while older pacers were in action in the Cecil Ladner Memorial Pacing Series.
Fresh off a Truro track record win in last weekend's Atlantic Sires Stakes, Lovineveryminute went wire-to-wire in the first $3,000 filly elimination, stopping the clock in a career-best 1:55.4. She won by three and a half lengths over favoured Elm Grove Inarush with Fleurje finishing well back in third. Todd Trites drove the Western Paradise-Deliver Me filly for trainer Earl Watts and owners River Valley Management, Windemere Farms and Lana Murphy.
Daniel Ross' Pictonian Sareta romped to a nine and a half length victory in the second filly elimination for trainer/driver Mike Stevenson. The Western Paradise-Southview Selena filly took a new mark of 1:57.3. Outrageous Spirit and J J Mistress were the best of the rest. Defending Maritime Breeders champion Saulsbrook Alana broke stride while rallying three-wide down the backstretch and finished a distant fifth as the race favourite.
The defending colt champion, Dumas Walker, delivered as the favourite in his elimination as he fought off Rebelseven en route to a 1:57.3 two length triumph. Trainer/driver Myles Heffernan shares ownership of the Western Success-Im A Reelist gelding with Jackie Heffernan. Rancousy and Tobins Fusion finished second and third.
Favourite Settlement Request and trainer/driver Gilles Barrieau cruised to a 1:58.4 triumph in the second colt elimination over J Ps Warrior and Wine To Go. The Coastocoast Yankee-Bradelle gelding is owned by Alfred Barrieau and Michael Clinton.
Riding a 10-race win streak into Saturday's card, All Turain was defeated for the first time since last September amidst a pair of $2,400 Cecil Ladner Memorial Pacing Series eliminations.
Favourite Art Of Illusion and driver Darren Crowe kept the streaker at bay as he raced to a 1:54.1 triumph. Astor finished one and a half lengths behind in second while All Turain was beaten by more than five lengths finishing third. Art Of Illusion pushed his own streak to three, with previous wins in Maine for trainer Philip Bo Sowers and owner David MacDonald.
Mark Bradley trainee Machinthesand and Brodie MacPhee wore down favourite Coral Snake to win the other elimination in 1:55 flat. He now has back-to-back wins at Charlottetown for owners Noonan Holdings Ltd.--Russell and Karen Noonan. Schooner finished third.
Both Maritime Breeders Stakes finals will be held next Saturday, June 21 at Charlottetown along with the final and consolation of the Cecil Ladner Memorial Pacing Series.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.