The Jim Ripley stable remained red hot on Thursday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park, and veteran reinsman Gilles Barrieau returned to the bike – and the winner’s circle - for the first time since being injured in a spill earlier this month.
Shipping in from Amherst, NS, Ripley’s trotters both prevailed on the card including a second straight win for Majian Tango in the $2,250 Open Trot.
Time of the mile was 1:59.4 this week in the top trot for Majian Tango, who chased down pacesetter and eventual third-place finisher Star Photo (Driven by Jason Hughes) in the stretch while Freddie (Walter Cheverie) came up the passing lane to finish second.
Ripley’s other win came with the four-year-old full-brother to Majian Tango as Majian Gilroy scored his third straight trip to the winner’s circle while handling his foes in 2:00.4 in his $2,050 trot class. Marylea Ripley of Amherst, NS, owns both horses.
Thursday also marked the return to the racebike for Barrieau, who was sidelined earlier this month due to a pre-race incident at Summerside Raceway on Governor’s Plate night.
Barrieau’s backers were handsomely rewarded when he went down the road with Fern Hill Delight to the tune of 20-1. The filly tore through fractions of :30.1, 1:00.1 and 1:29.4 before using a :29.2 closing panel to won by 8-1/4 lengths in 1:59.1.
Rockin Indy won the $2,500 top pace on the card with a 1:58.1 victory with Ken Murphy in the bike for owner-trainer Troy Murray of Clyde River. Jeb (Hughes) was second while IC True Grit (Mike McGuigan) finished third.
Elm Grove Misty was sent to the lead and stayed there in the Race 6 Charlottetown Pony Club 50th Anniversary pace. Dave Kelly supplied the steer behind his trainee for the 1:58.2 victory at 16-1 odds for owner Charlene Cypher of Springvale.
(With files from CDP)
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Charlottetown Driving Park.