Driver Todd Trites and trainer Earl Watts had a big night at the office as they teamed up to sweep the Maritime Breeders finals Saturday at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
The team went to work in the Ken Starratt Memorial final for three-year-old fillies when Trites sent Lovineveryminute to the front off the rail to claim the $22,100 championship in 1:56.3. The victory was her third from four starts this season for owners River Valley Management, NB, Windemere Farms, PE and Lana Murphy, NB. Elm Grove Inarush finished second while Pictonian Sareta overcame Post 8 to complete the triactor.
Arties Magic rallied to win an eventful Doug Harkness Memorial in the three-year-old colts final of the Maritime Breeders for Trites and Watts. The colt won by open lengths in 1:57.3. Rancousy was second with Dumas Walker third but the racing officials ruled the former Atlantic Breeders Crown champion caused interference going into the first turn and was placed fifth. J Ps Warrior was placed third with Wine To Go moved up to fourth. Arties Magic recorded his second win of the season for Windemere Farms, PE and Clive Balderston, NB.
The first day of summer brought out the some of the best horses on the East coast in the Cecil Ladner Memorial final with All Turain and driver Brodie MacPhee winning the classic race in 1:55. MacPhee mapped out the trip getting away third after a front-end battle ensued between Schooner and Coral Snake to the opening station in :26.4. The Trevor Hicken trainee was able to shake loose past the half to open up a two-length lead down the backstretch. All Turain paced home in :29.2 to secure a one-length victory. Lee Hicken and Trevor Hicken own All Turain. Astor was second with Machinthesand third. The race favourite, Art Of Illusion, finished fourth.
In other action, Likely To Win won the Ladner Memorial consolation for Ryan Ellis, Leading Camdidate scored in the Nuffield Triennial Pace for Mike Stevenson, Panacotta claimed the Brooklyn Pace for Gilles Barrieau and Umiztagoodthing took the Belfast School 2014 Grade 9 Graduates Pace for Todd Walsh.
(CDP)
To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Charlottetown Driving Park.