Tobins Gem and Sporty Anthony both remained unbeaten as they paced to victory in P.E.I. Colt Stakes Gold action on Wednesday, July 16 at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway as part of Governor’s Plate Week racing.
Tobins Gem ($3.90) won the faster of the two $16,000 divisions for rookie pacing colts and geldings with a 1:59 victory for driver Marc Campbell. He tucked in third to the quarter in :30.1, went to the front before the half in 1:00.2, then reached three-quarters in 1:30 before kicking home in :29 to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Mclovin (Ken Arsenault) with Zero Two Sixty (Robert Laffin) third.
Tobins Gem, who debuted victoriously on July 6 in the Atlantic Sires Stakes, is two-for-two for trainer George Rennison and owner Rennison Racing Inc., of Truro, N.S. The Flameproof Hanover-Grace Seelster gelding went for $16,500 at the Atlantic Classic Sale.
Sporty Anthony ($2.10) reigned victorious in his $16,000 division with Ken Murphy in the bike for trainer Jason Biggar. The gelding went all the way, rattling off fractions of :31.2, 1:02.4 and 1:32 and coming home a one-length winner in 2:00.1. Tiziano (Clare MacDonald) was second with Tobins Nibbler (Jason Hughes) third.
Sporty Anthony, a son of Somewhere Fancy-Southwind Ion, is now two-for-two in his young career after his Wednesday score. Biggar shares ownership of the $12,000 Atlantic Classic Sale purchase with breeder Jason Williams of McNeills Mills, P.E.I.
There were six $8,000 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Grassroots divisions for rookie colts. Saltwater Captain ($4.60) took the first in 2:00.1 with David Dowling driving for trainer David Myers. The second split was won by Windemere Barkley ($2.60) in 2:03.1 for trainer/driver Zach Mullins. Den Of Thieves ($3.60) won the third division in 1:58.4 for trainer/driver Adam Merner. Dirt Track Eddie ($16.50), with Corey MacPherson in the bike for trainer Jamie Smith, grabbed the fourth split in 2:01.4. The final two were claimed by trainer Tom Weatherbie and driver Brodie MacPhee as Louie The Lip ($3.90) won the fifth group in 1:58.2 and Oceanview Lou ($4.10) was a winner in 1:59 in the finale.
There was an accident in Race 11 in which Smilin With Lou (Gilles Barrieau) made a break and fell past the three-quarters. Both horse and driver walked off the track unscathed.
Live harness racing continues on Thursday evening at Red Shores Summerside with a 6 p.m. (ADT) post time.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - Summerside Raceway.
(With files from Red Shores)