The top sophomore pacers in Atlantic Canada converged on Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park on Saturday, June 9 for Maritime Breeder’s elimination action.
A pair of $3,000 eliminations were held for both the three-year-old pacing colts and the three-year-old pacing fillies, with R Es Shabla capturing the fastest filly split in 1:56.3 for trainer-driver Mike McGuigan. A three-year-old daughter of Pang Shui, R Es Shabla is owned by Lloyd Parsons of Carmanville, N.L. Chocolate Terror rallied for second, followed by Woodmere Ceilidh third and Woodmere Chella completing the superfecta to earn her spot in next week’s Maritime Breeder’s final.
Royaltywestho captured the other filly split in 1:57.2. Walter Cheverie was at the lines of the three-year-old daughter of Westwardho Hanover for co-owner and trainer Joseph Baxter and co-owner Gregory Francis, both of Windsor, N.S. Second went to Saulsbrook Coral with Woodmere Saphire third and Kahlua Morning securing the final spot in the final.
The three-year-old pacing colt elimination saw both elimination winners stay undefeated so far in 2018.
Sock It Away won his $3,000 elimination in 1:56.1 with Marc Campbell at the lines for win number 1,998 of his driving career. The Pang Shui colt is trained by Kevin MacLean for owner Reg MacPherson of Stratford. The Colonel sat the pocket to finish second with Dustylanewesty finishing third and Dowahs Boy advancing to the final with a fourth place finish.
Half Cut captured the other elimination to remain unbeaten this season for the team of driver Mark Bradley, trainer Tom Weatherbie and owners Kyle Gardiner and Mike Currie of Cardigan, Joseph Gardiner of Mount Stewart and Jerry MacKinnon of St. Peter’s Bay. The Stonebridge Terror pacer stopped the clock in 1:56.2 over Woodmere Ideal Art, Tobins Lightning and Rocking Party, who all advance to the final.
Czar Seelster visited the winner’s circle in the $2,500 Preferred Pace in a mile time of 1:55.1 with trainer Todd Weatherbee in the bike for owner Tammy Johnston of Vernon Bridge. Ashes To Ashes had his win streak snapped to finish second while Mr Irresistible was third.
(With files from Charlottetown Driving Park)
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.