The 46th edition of the Governor's Plate was the fastest and richest ever as D Gs Camme broke the all-age track record with a 1:53 victory in Red Shores at Summerside Raceway's signature race on Saturday.
Presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge, the 2014 Governor's Plate carried a purse of $25,000 with Jackie Matheson trainee D Gs Camme earning the lion's share for Charlottetown owners Quentin Bevan, Hal Bevan, Tom Clark and Ron Matheson.
Driver Gilles Barrieau was in the sulky for his third straight Governor's Plate victory and fourth overall as D Gs Camme shaved one-fifth of a second off 2010 champion P H Bestman's record.
D Gs Camme went on the attack from third after the :28-second opening quarter in which elimination winner Red Rock (Gary Chappell) worked his way to the lead over stablemate Astor (Jason Hughes). D Gs Camme cleared to command at the half in :56.3 and began to separate himself from the rest of the field en route to three-quarters in 1:24.3. He continued to widen his leading margin in the final quarter as he sped home in :28.2 for the seven and three-quarter length triumph. Astor finished second over Red Rock.
"The rail is always tricky to get horses away," said Barrieau of his starting post position. "A couple of them left real hard and I just kind of bidded my time really, I didn't want to get into no trouble. I was sitting third and usually sitting three is not a very good position and I heard foot steps coming so I had to take my shot and everything worked out."
Barrieau, who won the last two Governor's Plates with Wild Dragon and Mcapulco as well as the 1998 edition with Comedy Hour, admitted he was surprised by D Gs Camme's record speed.
"This horse really caught off guard," he said. "He was extra good tonight. Wow! I can't be any happier for the connections, they're just such good people and I'm just thrilled to death."
After being first-placed-second in his elimination last week and drawing the inside post position, the four-year-old son of Blissfull Hall was the 4-5 favourite and paid $3.80 to win. He notched his ninth career victory in 32 starts and boosted his bankroll to $66,015.
Barrieau and Matheson also teamed up to win the $9,250 Lobsterfest Mares Open with For All We Know prevailing by less than a length over Keystone Nobility (Gary Chappell) in 1:56.3. The seven-year-old Rocknroll Hanover mare, who also won her elimination, is owned by Bruce Wood of Marshfield, P.E.I. Danica Ellis' Icandothat and trainer/driver Ryan Ellis were 1:57.4 winners in the $2,500 consolation, edging out Veronicavermillion (Brodie MacPhee) by a neck.
Trained by Willis Silliker for local owner Walter Simmons, Blissfull Bro and driver Marc Campbell converted from the pocket to win the $6,000 Governor's Plate Consolation in 1:55.4 by a quarter-length over pacesetter Touch Of Lightning (Earl Smith).
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Summerside Raceway.