Veteran-driver Kenny Arsenault worked a perfect trip for Czar Seelster in the $25,000 Governor’s Plate Final, winning in 1:53.2 on Saturday, July 14 at Summerside Raceway.
Post-time favourite Euchred and driver Adam Merner set the early tempo with fractions of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:24.1 while being unchallenged on the front with Czar Seelster sitting the pocket. Czar Seelster vacated the two-hole for the stretch drive to power past Euchred and capture the 50th edition of the Prince County Classic. Euchred was second with Mr Irresistible finishing third and defending champion Do Over Hanover fourth.
Kenny Arsenault captured his second Governor’s Plate final, winning with Czar Seelster for trainer Todd Weatherbee and owner Tammy Johnston of Vernon Bridge.
Driver Corey MacPherson won five races on the 16-dash program. MacPherson won the fastest $12,800 Atlantic Sires Stakes A-division for three-year-old pacing colts with Sock It Away in 1:54.2, who remains undefeated on the season for trainer Kevin MacLean and owner Reg MacPherson of Stratford.
MacPherson also had major wins in the $2,500 Andrew Perry Memorial Invitational Trot with Hop Up in 1:59.2 for trainer-driver Keith Campbell of Tyne Valley and the $5,000 Governor’s Plate consolation with Tobinator in 1:58.3 for trainer Trevor Hicken of Montague. The Cornwall driver’s other trips to the winner’s circle came with Big Surf in a $1,900 event in 1:55.4 for trainer Hicken and in a $2,500 B-Division for three-year-old pacing colts with Dustylanekazaam in 1:59.4 for Paul MacDonald of Cornwall.
The other $12,800 Atlantic Sires Stakes A-division for three-year-old pacing colts was won by Weekend Atnannies in 1:56.3 for driver Mike McGuigan, trainer Len McGuigan and owner Glen Dunn of Summerville.
The $3,500 Fillies and Mares Open pace was won by Sodwana Bay to continue her undefeated streak in Atlantic Canada with a 1:55.2 win for trainer-driver Gilles Barrieau and owners Wayne MacRae of Fall River, N.S., and Howmac Farms Ltd., of North Wiltshire.
Live racing on Prince Edward Island returns to a regular schedule in the coming week with cards Thursday and Saturday at Red Shores Charlottetown with Red Shores Summerside holding its next card on Sunday, July 22.
(With files from Red Shores Summerside)
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Summerside Raceway.