Fending off a late challenge in the stretch, New Legacy got it all in the $7,500 Andrew Perry Memorial Invitational Trot with a record performance on Friday evening, July 14 at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway as part of Governor’s Plate Week racing.
The Invitational event served as the first leg of the Island Trot Challenge, presented by Fox Group, with New Legacy winning in 1:58.1 for driver Adam Merner, trainer Colin Johnson and owners Debbie Element, Matt and David Burke and Don MacNeill Jr. The five-year-old Father Patrick gelding lowered the track record for older male trotters (held by Star Photo) by one-fifth of a second. Jessiejesorjessica (David Dowling) came to call late but had to settle for second ahead of Sailor Blue (Ken Murphy).
The night also featured the Atlantic Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies with Saulsbrook Abbey capturing the fastest $14,640 A division from the Saul Lanigan barn to improve the Malicious filly's record to four wins and a second from five lifetime starts. Corey MacPherson was above the wheels for owners Saul, Peter and Mark Lanigan. Race favourite Saulsbrook Mabel (Gilles Barrieau) was second with Next In Line (Jason Hughes) third.
Rock N Roll Cays controlled every step of her $14,640 A division assignment, winning in 1:55.2 for driver Murphy, who scored a driving grand slam on the night, and trainer Jeff Holmes. Hardcore Racing owns the Tobago Cays filly. Our Girl Annie (Barrieau) grabbed second ahead of Lookoveryour (Marc Campbell).
The $4,000 B divisions for sophomore fillies were won by Stonecold Girl in 1:57 for trainer/driver Dowling, Summer Lovin in 1:59.1 for trainer/driver Hughes and Royoz Allie, driven by Murphy for trainer Ryan Doucette, in 1:59.
Onlythegooddiyoung (Barrieau) won the William J. Waite Memorial for trainer Ron Matheson and owner A Matter Of Time Stable.
Joe C One Fiveoh was the best in the Colin ‘Coke’ Grady Memorial with a 1:58.3 win for owner, trainer and driver Sam Hodgin.
Lyons Jennielee (Murphy) provided a touching moment in the John Davies Memorial as the winning mare is trained by the late trainer’s son, Chris Davies, who co-owns the 1:56.4 victor with his mother Suzanne Davies and Carole Wright.
In the Dave Nicholson Memorial, Cowboy Logic won for driver Steven Shepherd in 1:57.3 with Harold Shepherd handling the training chores for owners Maurice McCabe, Angus Birt, George Burke and Wayne MacPherson.
Nannie Bernice provided a 7-1 upset in the Frank Banks Memorial as the Janice Hubbard-owned and trained filly converted a pocket trip to a 1:55.3 victory for driver Murphy.
Governor’s Plate Week racing comes to a close Saturday evening with a 16-dash, mega card starting at 6 p.m. featuring the 55th running of the Governor’s Plate, presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Summerside Raceway.
(With files from Red Shores)