Panmunjom surpassed the half-million earnings mark with a two length victory in the $20,000 James 'Roach' MacGregor Gold Cup & Saucer Consolation on Friday night at Charlottetown Driving Park.
When the wings of the gate folded in the featured finale, Arabica (Kenny Arsenault) out-sprinted Windemere Express (Gilles Barrieau) to the lead during the :27.1 opening panel and was then confronted by Malek Hanover (Mike Stevenson) as they raced by the half in :55.3. Malek Hanover edged by Arabica at the 1:24.3 third quarter station while the backfield began to fan wide, led by Its A Good Thing (John MacDonald), who eventually took over command into the stretch. However, Panmunjom, trained and driven by Garry MacDonald, followed his cover wide from fourth over and unleashed a :28.4 final frame to sweep by the field for the two length tally in 1:53.4. Its A Good Thing finished second while Heart Of Rocknroll (Earl Smith) came in third.
The 3-1 second favourite paid $8 to win. After finishing fourth in Trial #1 of the Gold Cup & Saucer, the six-year-old The Panderosa gelding notched his first win in two starts for new owners Dale and Ronnie Rennie of Elmsdale, P.E.I. The win was Panmunjom's 17th lifetime and pushed his bankroll to $502,208.
Earlier on the card, Earl Watts trainees First Lady Of Art and Windemere Nancy pulled off a pair of upsets in the $12,400 Gold divisions of the Lady Slipper Stake for three-year-old pacing fillies. Both fillies are owned by the Painting The Town Stable.
First Lady Of Art prevailed in a three-across finish at odds of 11-1 with Gary Chappell in the sulky. The Articulator filly stopped the clock in a career-best 1:58.2, winning by a quarter length over Ruby Vance (Gilles Barrieau) and April Dawns Star (Mike Stevenson).
Aaron Byron steered Astronomical filly Windemere Nancy to a half-length score in the other split, upsetting at odds of 15-1 while favourite Southfield Sophie (Terry Gallant) and Pictonian Amanda (Mike Stevenson) finished second and third, respectively.
Friday's afternoon program featured four $5,000 Grassroots divisions, which were won by Kenny Arsenault trainees Imaforce (2:00) and Western Boudoir (1:58.2); Armed Force (1:59.3) with Robert Shepherd aboard for conditioner Jackie Matheson; and Larshecomes (1:59.4) and trainer-driver Clare MacDonald.
This week's Open Trot went to the Corey MacPherson-driven Caliban Hanover, who romped to an 11 length victory -- his third straight -- in 2:00 for trainer Ronnie Gass.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following links:
Congratulations to Garry
Congratulations to Garry MacDonald for winning this prestigious event. I remember you driving Daylon Smartie and High Energy and Summerville Bud. You've come a long way and next year I hope you can win the Gold Cup and Saucer, after all, before you moved to Ontario, you were known as "Mr. Old Home Week", its only fitting that you win the big race.