Rose Run Quest rallied from off the pace to deliver as the favourite in the $2,650 Preferred Pace at Charlottetown Driving Park Saturday, June 2, holding off Euchred by a quarter length in 1:58.3.
The Marc Campbell trained and driven six-year-old gelded son of If I Can Dream sat fourth as Tobinator parked Czar Seelster on the lead through a :28.1 opening quarter. The two continued to match strides by the half in :57.1 as Rose Run Quest ranged into contention second over. After battling for the lead, the backfield circumvented Tobinator and Czar Seelster as they faltered passing three-quarters, giving the lead to Rose Run Quest in 1:28.1 while Euchred and Mr Irresistible circled late towards the center of the track. Rose Run Quest held off Euchred through the stretch to win, while Mr Irresistible chased the two to be third.
Owned by Blair Hanson, Rose Run Quest won his third race in four starts this season and his 23rd in 81 overall, earning $114,338. He paid $4.20 to win.
Trainer Jackie Matheson sent out four winners on the 11-race program, including Ashes To Ashes, who took the $2,350 Preferred 2 Pace in 1:59.3. Positioned last of five, Ashes To Ashes stalked a pace set by Adkins Hanover, who paced the quarter in :29.2 and the half in 1:00.1. Winter Blast moved first over heading to three quarters, with driver Gilles Barrieau tracking with the favourite from second over. Through three-quarters in 1:30.1, Ashes To Ashes kicked off cover in the stretch, pacing past first-over Winter Blast to win by three-quarters of a length.
A four-year-old gelding by Driven To Win out of The Panderosa mare Red Star Ashlee, Ashes To Ashes, owned by Linda Somers, Alan Conway and Lynn Livingstone, won his second race in four starts this season and his 11th in 36 overall, earning $50,114. He paid $4.20 to win.
Matheson's other wins came with Artners In Crime ($11.80), a wire-to-wire winner in 2:03.4 in a $1,100 conditioned pace, Four Corners ($107.00) upsetting from off the pace to win a $1,300 conditioned pace in 2:02.4 and Give Em Heck ($4.80), also wire-to-wire winner in a $1,500 conditioned pace in 2:00.4.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.