Buckhead Ridge stamped himself as the top dog in the Island Oceans Trot Challenge, presented by Burkie By The Bay Stables, during a five-win night for driver Marc Campbell on the Thursday, July 31 program at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
In the first leg of the Island Oceans Trot Challenge for aged trotters, Buckhead Ridge ($2.10) made it back in the winner’s circle with a commanding 1:56.1 front-end win in his $6,500 division. Marc Campbell drove the five-year-old Nuncio-Tuonela gelding for his son, trainer Landon Campbell, and owner Brady Doyle of Stratford. P.E.I. Fight Song (Jason Hughes) finished a game second while Glider Man (David Dowling) rounded out the triactor ticket.
Helpfull Princess ($2.90) was a dominant winner in the other division of the Island Oceans Trot Challenge for trainer Luke Burke and owner Robin Burke of Brackley, P.E.I., as the five-year-old Helpisontheway-Blueridge Abigail mare stopped the clock in 1:58.3 with Adam Merner aboard. Rocket Blast (Corey MacPherson) was second while Majian Salsa (Jim Ripley) was third.
Avyanna ($2.10) crushed her foes in a sizzling 1:52.3 effort in a $3,500 fillies and mares conditioned pace, with a :27.3 kicker for driver Gilles Barrieau, trainer Bo Ford and owners Hailee Currie of Rocky Point, P.E.I., and Carol Campbell of Baddeck, N.S. The victory was just shy of the 1:52.2 track record for aged pacing mares set by Pasta Momma in 2024.
Ford also clicked with Marc Campbell as Steady Heart ($4.10) went down the road in a 1:55.4 victory.
Marc Campbell had the hot hands on the night with five wins on the 16-dash card, four of them for trainer Landon Campbell. Alongside Buckhead Ridge, he teamed up with Saulsbrook Rolo ($2.10) for a 1:56.3 romp in the McWade Race Night 2025 pace, Galway Girl ($2.10) in 1:56.2 and Get Answers ($3.90) in the $4,350 top fillies and mares pace in a 1:54.4 clocking.
Hallysgurl ($2.80) scored in her second career start in a new track record for two-year-old trotting fillies of 1:59.2 for Barrieau and trainer Darryl MacLean. Calvin Larkin of Mermaid, P.E.I., and Erika Bradley of Charlottetown share ownership of the Muscle Mass-Incredible Hally filly, who lowered the former 1:59.3 track record held by Oceanview Nikki.
Trainer David O’Brien doubled on the card as two-year-old pacing filly Basho ($12.40) turned the tables on race favourite Maid To Play with a 1:58.2 maiden score for driver Merner while Woodmere Lizzie ($16.70) and Corey MacPherson sprung an upset in 1:57.
Ms Moyse ($4.90) completed the card with a gate-to-wire 1:57.1 win, giving Merner a driving triple.
Live harness racing continues on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 4 p.m. (ADT) at Red Shores Charlottetown.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)