Newcomer Wild Dragon kicked off the elimination round for the Governor's Plate with a wire-to-wire victory in 1:54.2 on Sunday afternoon at Summerside Raceway.
Driver Gilles Barrieau sent Wild Dragon to the lead from post three and carved out fractions of :27.3, :56.2, and 1:25.3 before Touch Of Lightning and Earl Smith swept up from third. However, Wild Dragon managed to hold off the late challenger by a quarter-length for his 18th career win. All Turain and Marc Campbell finished one and a half lengths behind in third. Greatheart Hanover and Jason Hughes finished fourth, also qualifying for next Saturday's final.
The favourite, who won his Island debut last week in the top Preferred class, returned $2.40 to his backers. The former WEG circuit campaigner now has two wins, five seconds and one third in 20 seasonal starts.
The five-year-old son of Dragon Again is conditioned by Darren Trainor, who also shares ownership with Jennifer Trainer, both of Vernon River.
The second elimination for the Governor's Plate will take place on Monday night at Summerside as Lobster Carnival Week racing continues. First race post time is 7 p.m with the elimination slated for final race of the 12-dash card.
Proven Lover is heavily favoured from post one with 2012 Governor's Plate champion Mcapulco starting from post two and last week's Walter Dale Invitational runner-up Windemere Express leaving from the outside post seven. Other entries are King Of Rock, Carnivore, Nakai Hanover, and First Art Down.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Summerside Raceway.