The stage is set for the 58th Governor’s Plate after the draw on Tuesday, July 14 determined the eight-horse field that will battle for Prince County’s richest pacing prize at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway on Saturday, July 18.
With Atlantic Canada’s biggest stars assembled, the Governor’s Plate, presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge, has all the ingredients for another memorable edition of one of the region’s premier harness racing events.
Defending champion Miki Shan N landed post two in the final as he looks to add another chapter to an already remarkable Atlantic Canadian resume for trainer Chris MacKay. The seven-year-old stallion, who also captured last year's Gold Cup and Saucer, won his first 11 starts in the Maritimes but was defeated in his previous two.
Arbitrage Hanover rounds out the field from post eight after his 1:50.3 all-age-track-record performance in his Plate elimination for trainer Clifford Murphy. The five-year-old, brought to P.E.I. after his May 23 start, took his first win of the year in last week's effort following two place finishes in starts against top-level pacers at Charlottetown Driving Park.
Get Wings drew the coveted rail after his impressive 1:52.4 Plate elimination victory and will look to capitalize on the inside advantage in the final for trainer Vaughan Doyle.
Maritime pacing star Bee Two Bee starts from post three from the Ashley Gamester barn after a strong showing in his elimination. The red-hot Ammo drew post four after a third in his elimination for trainer Ron Matheson.
Jmr Speak Away, trained by Darren Crowe, leaves from post five after a fourth-place finish when grinding away on the outside in his Plate elimination. Hometown favourite Doc Awesome, second in his elim, has post six for trainer Darla MacEachern. The Tulsa King has post seven after a fourth in his elimination from the Mike McGuigan barn.
Post time for the opening race is 5 p.m.
$50,000 Governor’s Plate 58
Post - Horse - Elim Driver - Trainer
1. Get Wings - Marc Campbell - Vaughan Doyle
2. Miki Shan N - Corey MacPherson - Chris MacKay
3. Bee Two Bee - Jason Hughes - Ashley Gamester
4. Ammo - Marc Campbell - Ron Matheson
5. Jmr Speak Away - Gilles Barrieau - Darren Crowe
6. Doc Awesome - Adam Merner - Darla MacEachern
7. The Tulsa King - Corey MacPherson - Mike McGuigan
8. Arbitrage Hanover - Ken Murphy - Clifford Murphy
(Red Shores)