Saulsbrook Ocean picked a great time to notch her first win of the season by capturing one of the three Atlantic Sires Stakes divisions conducted on Saturday (August 15) at Red Shores Charlottetown. Not only did she win the fastest division, she etched her name into the Charlottetown Driving Park record books.
The fillies saved the best for last with three $9,500 AtSS A divisions carded on the afternoon, and Saulsbrook Ocean set a track record in the finale. Dale Spence settled Saulsbrook Ocean away in third as favoured Streakazana (Marc Campbell) set first-half fractions of :28.2 and :57. With the backfield in motion, Spence right-lined Saulsbrook Ocean just before the half and forged first up heading to the three-quarter mark. Saulsbrook Ocean cleared to the lead as the third station was reached in 1:25.4 and she powered home in :28.2 to win by more than five lengths in a sizzling 1:54.1. Dustylane Zambucca (Corey MacPherson) was bets of the rest with Ubettimagoodone (Kenny Arsenault) finishing third.
The time of the mile shaved nearly a full second of the former 1:55 mark co-held by Dustylanemissmolly and R Es Shabla. The mile time was also a new mark for seven-time winner Saulsbrook Ocean (Westwardho Hanover - Shark Reef), who is trained by Joseph Baxter for Nova Scotia-based Saulsbrook Stables Inc. of Windsor, Jennifer Baxter of Falmouth and Michael McKenzie of Newport. The filly now sports $36,490 in earnings.
Woodmere Skyroller took no prisoners with a gate-to-wire score in the first $9.500 AtSS A division. Brodie MacPhee asked the sophomore filly to play catch-me-if-you-can, and her five rivals could not. Through fractions of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:27, Woodmere Skyroller had enough to sprint home in :28.4 and trip the timer much the best in a life's best 1:55.4 over a hard-closing Red Dirt Star (Gilles Barrieau) with pocket-sitting Ms Moyse (Adam Merner) completing the top three.
Now 3-3-0 in six seasonal starts for trainer Kevin MacLean and owner Reg Mac Pherson of Stratford, P.E.I., Woodmere Skyroller (Rollwithitharry - Skylark Hanover) picked up her sixth lifeime win and lifted her lifetime earnings to $55,174.
Watch Me Dance and driver Jason Hughes took a cue from the first division winner and connected for victory in the second $9,500 AtSS A division. Crossing over sharply from post six, Watch Me Dance was on the point early in front over rail horse Woodmere Nasha (Adam Merner), who made a break before the one-eighth mark. After fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:27.4, Watch Me Dance showed her heels to her counterparts and cruised home with a :28 final quarter to trip the timer in a career best 1:55.4. Bellafornow (Clare MacDonald) and Tobins Choice (Barrieau) rounded out the triactor.
A homebred of John & Stephen Quinn Watch Me Dance (Ameripan Gigolo - Mcdaisy Cutter) is co-owned by Ozzie MacKay of Moncton, N.B. Stephen Quinn trains Watch Me Dance, now a five-time winner with earnings in excess of $38,700.
Roxy Lund (Jason Hughes; 1:57.2, $13.70) and J J Gracie (Gilles Barrieau; 1:56.2, $5.70) were victorious in a pair of $2,500 AtSS B divisions for sophomore fillies conducted earlier on the card.
Live harness racing action continues at Charlottetown on Saturday night with the first trial for the 2020 Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer.
To view the results from Saturday's afternoon card at Red Shores Charlottetown, click the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.