Saturday night (July 11) proved that dreams can come true as Bugsy Maguire captured the 52nd running of the Governor’s Plate, presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge, for the conclusion of Governor’s Plate week racing at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
The $25,000 Governor’s Plate Invitational final saw Bugsy Maguire find the wire first to give owner Walter Simmons his first victory in the Prince County classic after chasing the race for decades. Brodie MacPhee was in the bike for trainer Wade Sorrie as he paid $28.80 to win over Time To Dance and defending champion Rose Run Quest.
The beginning saw Simple Kinda Man fire to the front from post 7 to post a blistering :26.3 opener. Leading past a :56 half, Screen Test engaged the leader first over with Bugsy Maguire following second over. Screen Test took over the lead at three-quarters, timed in 1:24.4, while Bugsy Maguire moved to take over command in the stretch drive to prevail in 1:54.1 for a 13-1 upset.
“This will be my last chance (to win the Governor’s Plate),” Simmons told The Guardian earlier this week. “When you get to be 95, 96, you never how long you are going to be around,” he laughed.
The victory also gave trainer Wade Sorrie and driver Brodie MacPhee their first wins in the Governor's Plate.
The 13-dash program also featured a pair of $12,500 Atlantic Sires Stakes A-Divisions for three-year-old pacing colts won by Windemere Ryan (Adam Merner) in 1:57.1 and Tobins Rebel (Gilles Barrieau) in 1:56.
Driver Marc Campbell also received the Basil Whelan Memorial trophy Saturday evening for leading driver of Governor’s Plate Week 2020.
Trainer Melissa Rennie had a training double while driver David Dowling celebrated three trips to the winner’s circle.
(Red Shores)
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Summerside Raceway.
Eighty years ago, in 1940,
Eighty years ago, in 1940, Walter Simmons, at 17, won a three year old stakes race, part of the early days of the PEI Colt Stakes, with a filly called Miss Russell owned by his father. Walter paid some serious money for Bugsy Maguire last year as he was racing $40,000 claimers in Yonkers prior to coming to PEI and was among the favorites to win last year's edition of the Governors Plate. His faith has been justified. Interestingly Bugsy's pedigree is very similar to Lazarus N, the best son of Bettors Delight also from a mare by Christian Cullen. Congratulations Walter.