Heaven On High N is headed to the $100,000 Gold Cup and Saucer final, presented by Atlantic Lottery, after his Monday evening, Aug. 12 victory in Trial 3 at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park during Old Home Week harness racing.
In Trial 3 of the Gold Cup and Saucer, Larry Karr (Austin Sorrie) blasted off the starting gate from post eight to secure the lead past the opening eighth and controlled the fractions of :28 and :56.3 with Heaven On High N (Brett MacDonald) sitting second. Southwind Sambucca (Marc Campbell) was calling first-up on the outside at the half and continued to engage the pacesetter at the three-quarters of 1:25.2, but Heaven On High N pounced in the stretch drive to overtake Larry Karr by a length in 1:52.3. Third went to Rocks Shining Star (Jason Hughes), who earned the final berth in the Aug. 17 final. Jamie Smith trains the winning pacer for owners Shark Racing Stable of Bainbridge, New York.
Heaven On High N, Larry Karr and Rocks Shining Star will join Save America, Binge On Yankee, American History, Fortify, Covered Bridge and Twin B Tuffenuff in the final with the official post position draw to take place live during the Tuesday evening program.
The fourth through sixth-place finishers in Trail 3 (Bob Loblaw, High Voltage Deo and Smooth Lou) will face off again in the $30,000 James (Roach) MacGregor Gold Cup and Saucer Consolation on Aug. 16. Seventh and eighth-place finishers Southwind Sambucca and Island Beach Boy will join the field in the $15,000 P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association Pace on Aug. 17.
In other Monday evening action, Tobins Chester was the boss in the lone $28,460 Atlantic Sires Stakes 'A' division for three-year-old pacing colts. Jason Hughes drove the Ashley Gamester trainee to his sixth straight win in a career-best 1:53.1 for owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I.
The $6,000 'B' divisions for sophomore pacing colts were won by Heres To Art (Ken Murphy) in 1:55.3, Dusty Lane Zoro (Brodie MacPhee) in 1:55.4, Howmac General (David Dowling) in 1:56.4 and Little Leroy (Adam Merner) in 1:54.4.
Marc Campbell had a driving triple on the program.
Live harness racing continues Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. featuring the Atlantic Sires Stakes for two and three-year-old trotters.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)