Making a guest appearance in Prince Edward Island, driver Jody Jamieson filled in behind post-time favourite Stonebridge Terror
and didn't disappoint his backers.
In the third $12,500 Gold Cup & Saucer Trial, Jamieson fired Stonebridge Terror out from the outside Post 6 in an effort to take immediate command but those efforts were temporarily thwarted by PH Tornado (Gilles Barrieau) and Priceless Edition (Simon Allard) - who forced the favourite three-wide into the first turn. Allard managed to coax his charge to the front while Jamieson forged on through a :27 opener, eventually clearing past the quarter.
From fourth, Robert Shepherd commenced a first-over journey around the three-eighths marker as Jamieson and Stonebridge Terror continued on the front through a demanding :54.3 half. Down the backstretch, the lead opened to three lengths and continued to widen as the three-quarter station was reached in 1:23.2. With an open length lead at the head of the lane, Stonebridge Terror coasted home in :29.2 to trip the timer in 1:52.4 with the track listed as a second off.
Priceless Edition stayed for second, with PH Tornado edging out Blended Whiskey for show and a spot in the $60,000 final.
After the win, Jamieson commented on the abundance of early speed.
"That's what makes harness racing so great in Ontario - we race our asses off. There should be lots of action and there was. Someone chirped at the five-eighths and my horse just took off. I shut him down in the stretch."
Looking ahead to Saturday's final, Jamieson will not be driving Stonebridge Terror. That assignment will be given to Scott Coulter, who frequently piloted Illusionist for Stonebridge Terror's co-owner David Lumsden. Jamieson had nothing but praise for Lumsden and the ownership group.
"These owners are just great for the industry, they put a lot of money into the business and they love racing at Charlottetown Driving Park."
Stonebridge Terror is four-year-old son of Western Terror from the Abercrombie mare No Paradise. The victory was his third of the season for owners David Lumsden of Ancaster, ON, Reginald Petitpas and All In Racing Stable of Shediac Bridge, NB. He is now an nine-time career winner with $730,000 in the bank.
On the afternoon card, Dr Alexander B and driver Shane Bernard captured his $8,320 Atlantic Sires Stakes A Division in the most impressive fashion. Not only was his lifetime best time of 1:55.1 the fastest of the afternoon in AtSS action, but his nine and one-half length win margin was the biggest. Charlottetown's Paul Doyle owns and trains Dr Alexander B (Western Success - He She Gal), now a winner of seven races and over $43,000 lifetime.
The other 'A' divisions went to horses from the Gilles Barrieau barn - Island Redemption, winning his fifth straight in 1:56; and Mr Salming, who upset favoured Allbentouttashape in 1:55.3.
A quintet of $2,500 'B' divisions were also carded. The winners were Fit To Ben Tied (2:00.2), Connors Cam Bo (1:59), Unstoppable Speed (1:58), Student Loan (1:58.3) and Clay Mater (1:57.4).
To view results, click here for the Monday night card and click here for the Monday afternoon card.