Miki Shan N stole the spotlight in the $4,600 featured pace during a rescheduled Wednesday evening card (June 25) at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway, delivering a powerful, open-length victory in 1:55 for trainer Chris MacKay and driver Gary Chappell.
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, the program was postponed due to extreme heat and thunderstorms in the area, but the action on Wednesday proved worth the wait. Making just his second Canadian start, Miki Shan N, a son of Always B Miki–Yankee Dream, rolled to the top and never looked back. The veteran pacer left his rivals behind en route to the wire for owners Earl Hill Jr., Stephen Klunowski of Ont., and Kap Singh Racing Stable of N.Y. Howmac Charmer (Corey MacPherson) finished second, with Mr Kelly (Adam Merner) rounding out the top three.
Miki Shan N’s win completed a training double for Chris MacKay, who also sent out Chromed Up in one of the night’s most stunning upsets.
The tote board lit up in Race 1 as Chromed Up delivered one of the biggest shocks of the season, dismissed at 71-1 by the betting public. The three-year-old Tobago Cays–Someshoresomewhere gelding launched from Post 8 to win in 1:59 flat with Corey MacPherson in the bike for MacKay and co-owners Marc Gallant and Craig Arsenault of Summerside, P.E.I. He surged past pacesetter Saulsbrook Bolt (Brady Sweet) in deep stretch, while Wizard (Adam Merner) completed the triactor, which returned a healthy $518 on a $2 ticket.
The early shocker from Chromed Up set the tone for a night of unpredictability, though the Sweet family made the most of the action. Hawkish Deo ($4) took Race 2 in 2:00.4 for trainer-driver Jaycob Sweet, who returned to the winner’s circle in Race 5 with Timberlea Lady ($6) after a 1:58 mile.
Trainer Earl Watts also doubled up. He sent out Windemereontheline ($30.20) to a 2:00.4 upset in Race 7 with Myles Heffernan in the bike, and closed the 14-dash program with Starship Glyde ($3.70) winning Race 14 in 1:56.4 under Adam Merner.
Corey MacPherson had the hot hands on the evening with four wins. In addition to Chromed Up, he guided Plain Jane($4) to a 1:56.2 score in Race 12 for trainer Devon Wallace, Louie The Great ($3.30) to a 1:58.2 win in Race 11 for Leith Waite, and Mr William ($4.10) to a 2:02 victory in Race 8 from the Blaine McKenna barn.
Live racing resumes Thursday, June 26 at 6 p.m. at Red Shores Charlottetown.
To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - Summerside Raceway.
(With files from Red Shores)