Half of Wednesday evening ’s 12-race program at Red Shores Charlottetown was dedicated to showcasing two-year-old pacing colts and geldings
of the Atlantic Sires Stakes. Six divisions went postward, with three “A” divisions and a trio of “B” events.
Touch Of Lightning took his $9,600 “A” division in 2:00.1 for trainer/driver Earl Smith. The son of Articulator-Aquatic Lightning used come-from-behind tactics to prevail by three-quarters of a length over Pondside Thunder, with third prize being earned by Perfect Xample.
Peter Smith, Donald Smith, Gerald Morrissey and Larry Chappell of PEI share ownership on the youngster, who now boasts a 2-2-0 record in five starts in addition to $12,275 in career earnings.
Astronomical Union was a maiden-breaking winner in his “A” division assignment. The son of Astronomical-Signature Seelster overcame late interference to win by five lengths in 1:59 for driver Marc Campbell. The gelding defeated tempo-setting Hoshinosenshi and Bayview Gale, who rounded out the top three finishers.
Albert Davies trains the juvenile, who has put together a 1-1-1 record in five tries for owner Reginald MacPherson of Stratford, PEI. The lion’s share of the purse lifted his lifetime earnings to $7,453.
The final “A” division went to Dukes Up, who took home a new lifetime mark of 2:00 thanks to his coast-to-coast performance for driver Gilles Barrieau. Sent off at even-money, the son of Fit For Life-Duchess Of Dexter rolled through fractions of :29.4, 1:01 and 1:31.1 before powering home in :28.4 to win by a length over Selkirk Artemus. Third prize was earned by Island Lexus.
The win was the second “A” division score for owner Reginald MacPherson, who watched the colt improve his rookie record to 2-0-2 in five starts. The lion’s share of the purse increased the pacer’s cash stash to $11,597.
Obamanator (2:02.1), Ankaway (2:01) and Smooth Talkin Dan (2:00.3).
To view results for Wednesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Red Shores Charlottetown.