It appears there will be at least one horse to represent the home side during this year's edition of the Walter Dale Memorial.
The Maritime region's first Free For All event of the season goes Monday afternoon at Fredericton Raceway, and Joseph Michael is ready to be an impact player.
Owned by Andrea Dolan's Capital A Investments and Valerie Phelan, Joseph Michael proved he can be a clutch performer in the slop this evening during a card which was called off on Tuesday. The horse earned his third win in four starts this season, circling an oval rated three seconds off by the judges.
Todd Trites guided the five-year-old son of Jennas Beach Boy to the victory in 1:58.4, defeating E F Fantasia and Ideal Ticket. Joseph Michael and E F Fantasia duked it out up front for most of the mile, making their finish line results all the more impressive.
Joseph Michael's win in the Canadian Forces CFB Gagetown Appreciation feature race of the night was the second on the card for trainer Eric Wilson, who scored earlier with a crafty veteran pacer. Eleven-year-old Vic Victor earned a front-running triumph for Stephen Trites in 2:03.2.
For the second straight week, driver Gilles Barrieau was dominant, guiding home five winners on the 11-dash program. Eye-catching youngsters from his stable helped Barrieau accomplish the achievement.
Sittler may have been the most impressive clicking in 2:01 for his fourth win as a sophomore. A son of Astronomical, Sittler will likely be in the starting lineup Monday at Fredericton during Atlantic Sires Stakes competition.
Two-year-old McPort In A Storm won his first lifetime start for Barrieau in 2:02.1. The son of McArdle paced his final quarter in :30.1 over challenging footing.
Barrieau's other wins came behind Elm Grove Camrose in 2:03.2, Meter Leader in 2:03.1, and One Wild Nite in 2:00.2.
Other winners on the night were Makin Art (Steve Mason) in 2:07, A Weekend (Percy Jones) in 2:04.2, Night Talker (Mike Downey) in 2:00.3, and Choco Du Ruisseau (Mark Haig) in 2:02.2.
Post time for Monday afternoon's card is 1 p.m.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Fredericton Raceway.
(With files from Fredericton Raceway)