Canadian harness racing rang in 250 years of live racing on the weekend and Jason Hughes had lots to celebrate about Sunday afternoon (July 2) at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
“The Blue Knight” had a driving triple on the program including a Preferred victory aboard Invictus Hanover in a down the road score of 1:55.2 for owners Foxyhall Racing of Wallace, N.S. Forever Paradise took a two-hole ride to finish second with Adam Merner at the lines while Perfect Escape (Gilles Barrieau) was third in the $2,400 race.
Hughes’ other winners were with Pictonian Spartan in 1:59.1 for trainer Danny MacDonald and aboard Libertys Choice from his own stable in 2:01.1.
Mike McGuigan kicked off the careers of a pair of promising youngsters from his own stable on the right note scoring maiden-breaking victories for both. Two-year-old pacing filly R Es Shabla was a 2:02 winner for owner Lloyd Parsons of Carmanville, N.L., while two-year-old pacing colt Weekend Atnannies had a maiden-breaking score of 2:00.4 for owner Glen Dunn of Summerville, P.E.I.
Walter Cheverie enjoyed a driving double on the program honouring a number of longtime dedicated individuals to Island racing. Cheverie’s first win was with The Big Bite in 1:57.3 for trainer Jackie Matheson, then he came back later on the card to win the $2,250 Open Mares Pace with Ramblinglily. Ramblinglily notched win number 50 of her career for co-owner and trainer Allan Jones of Riverview, N.B., and co-owner Normand Leger of Shediac, N.B. The career milestone for the seven-year-old daughter of Articulator is made even more impressive by the fact her $156,204 in lifetime earnings were garnered while never leaving the Maritimes while composing a record of 83 top three finishes from just 93 career starts.
Barrieau also earned two wins on the 12-dash program, with first-time winner Jdcyril in 2:00.4 for trainer Kevin MacLean and another 50-time winner Clic K in 1:57.4 for trainer Jackie Matheson.
Live racing continues at Red Shores Charlottetown on Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)