Records are made to be broken but one only lasted three races Thursday evening at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park as Gold Cup and Saucer week racing began.
Hop Up scored a mild upset in the $2,400 Open Trot winning in a record 1:57.4 to make her the fastest Maritime bred trotter ever on the East Coast. Corey MacPherson was in the race bike for trainer-driver Keith Campbell of Tyne Valley as the Tad The Stud mare defeated former record holder Daisy River (Jason Hughes) with third going to Majian Tango (Jim Ripley).
That record was set in race 5 of the program but Mile Hill Willie had some history making of his own to do in race 8. The Paul Morrison-trained and Gilles Barrieau driven trotter benefitted from an early speed duel to pick up the pieces late and win by 13-lengths in 1:57.1. That mile took top place for Maritime Bred trotters in Eastern Canada just an hour after Hop Up’s record feat. Morrison along with John Breau of Shediac Cape, NB, own Mile Hill Willie, a four-year-old son of Armbro Barrister.
Warrawee Ulla remained undefeated on red soil in the $2,200 top pace of the night in race 9 for trainer-driver Jason Hughes and owner David MacDonald of Belfast. The mare won her fourth straight race since coming to PEI, this time in 1:56.1.
(CDP)
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Charlottetown Driving Park.