In the face of Shadow Play being scratched at Mohawk, at least Dr. Ian Moore had something to smile about on Saturday as Astronomical captured the $7,500 Cecil Ladner Memorial final at the Charlottetown Driving Park
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Astronomical, driven by Kenny Arsenault, bursted from the gate but was forced to take a seat in the two-hole as Outlawpositivcharg (Terry Gallant) guarded the rail position. Outlawpositivcharg cut fractions of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:26.3, before Astronomical reached up to grab the win by the slimmest of margins in 1:54.3. Outlawpositivcharg finished second with Riccaras Sun (Mike Stevenson) finishing third.
Astronomical won his third straight of the season and increased his career bankroll to $761,308 for trainer and co-owner Dr Ian Moore of Charlottetown, P.E.I., and co-owners William Shearer, Brookfield, N.S. and R G McGroup Ltd of Bathurst, N.B.
In Maritime Breeders action, Larshegoes won the $30,012 Ken Starrat Memorial three-year-old filly final. Driver Clare MacDonald engineered a two-hole trip behind R Es Mary (Earl Smith) through fractions of :28.1, :57.3 and 1:28.1, before coming up the passing lane to win in 1:57.4. R Es Mary was second and Southview Spirit (Walter Cheverie) finished third.
Larshegoes is owned by Earith and George Riley of Summerside P.E.I. and is trained by Clare MacDonald.
War Dancer and Mike Stevenson scored in the $26,054 Maritime Breeder three-year-old colt final. War Dancer was stung to the opening quarter in :28.1 by Woodmere Fastball (Earl Smith) before clearing to the lead. He held off a challenge by Porthill Galaxy (Gary Chappell) through fractions of :57.4 and 1:27.4 then opened up to win by two and a half lengths in 1:56.3. Woodmere Fastball was second with Island Historic (Danny Romo) finishing third.
Stevenson also trains War Dancer for owners Boyd Macdonald of Crapaud, Daniel Ross, Belfast, P.E.I. and Charles Seymour, Fredericton, N.B.
Also on the card, Nicholas Oakes made his first trip to the winner’s circle as he won with Lofty Game in 1:59.4. Oakes, 19, also owns and trains the pacer.
To view results from Saturday's card, click here.