Guarding the pylons from the start, Painted Desert and driver Corey MacPherson never looked back in progress to a historic milestone for the reinsman Saturday night (July 4) at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
MacPherson celebrated win No. 1,000 of his driving career aboard his own trainee as the 14-year-old son of Western Ideal was on top at every call in a 1:57.3 mile for owner Perry Burke of Grosse-Ile., Quebec, to upset at 12-1 odds.
The victory was one of three for the 31-year-old Cornwall driver as he also hit the line first with the Melissa Rennie-trained Ms Moyse in a lifetime-best 1:57.2 while also closing out the program with Tobinator for trainer Ambyr Campbell in 1:59.1 to bring his win total to 1,002.
Marc Campbell had a pair of winners from his stable including in the $2,700 featured pace with Jetster scoring in a lifetime best of 1:55.3 for owner Jamie Struthers of Nova Scotia. Tempo Seelster rallied for second while Mystery Phil did all the early roadwork to finish third.
Campbell’s other win came with newcomer Power Of A Cruiser in 1:58.1 for owner Charles Symes of Nova Scotia.
The capital oval now goes dark until Thursday, July 16. Island racing action will shift to Red Shores Summerside this week for Governor’s Plate week racing featuring evening cards Tuesday through Saturday night culminating in the 52nd running of the historic Governor’s Plate.
(Red Shores)
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.