Half of Thursday’s twelve-race card at Summerside Raceway was dedicated to some of the freshmen stars of the Atlantic Sires Stakes program, as the half-mile oval hosted two-year-old pacing colts and geldings
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A trio of “A” divisions were the main events, with each split offering a purse of $9,160.
Driven By Example took the opening contest in 2:01.3 and he did so in front-stepping fashion for the duo of driver Kenny Arsenault and trainer Paul Doyle. The rookie rolled the field through panels of :30.1, 1:02 and 1:32.1 before using a :29.2 closing quarter to seal the deal by 2-1/4 lengths. Island Lexus was next best, with Riccaras Star taking home third prize.
It was the second lifetime start for the maiden-breaker, who has banked close to $5,000 to date for 3DS And A Tweed Stable of Charlottetown, PEI.
Lyndale Royal was treated to a perfect trip in the second “A” division by driver Brodie Macphee, and the son of Force Of Life-Royal Pursuit didn’t let it go to waste. He tracked Lonestar Sydney through panels of :30.4, 1:02.4 and 1:32.2 before kicking out a :29.4 final frame of his own to sprint past the pacesetter and post a 2:02.4 decision. Touch Of Lightning was third-placed second, while Lonestar Sydney was second-placed-third for causing interference to Touch Of Lightning past the mid-way point.
Terrence Affleck trains Lyndale Royal for owner David MacDonald of Belfast, PEI. The youngster was purchased for $4,100 at last year’s Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale. He has already banked over $5,500 in the first two starts of his career.
Macphee and Affleck came back to win the final division, as well, with This Bird Will Fly in 2:00. The son of N Xample-Miss Papillon enjoyed a second-over journey and then used a :28.2 kick on the end of the mile to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Pondside Thunder. Dukes Up was a well-beaten third.
Aleida Tweten and Affleck share ownership on the colt who has put away more than $5,500 in his first two starts. He was purchased for $1,500 from last year’s Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Yearling Sale.
The winners in the trio of $2,500 “B” divisions were The Grey Alligator (2:05), Perfect Xample (2:03.2) and Selkirk Artemus (2:05.3).
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Summerside Raceway.