Parked every step of the mile, Livinthebeachlife was smiling for his photo in the Guardian $30,000 James (Roach) MacGregor Gold Cup & Saucer Consolation in line to Jody Jamieson on Friday evening (Aug. 18) at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Over a wet track, Rockabilly Rebel N (David Dowling) protected the cones from post one at the start as the post time favourite before releasing Ys Mathis (Marc Campbell) to the lead. Rockabilly Rebel N then retook the lead past the :27.1 opening quarter while eventual winner Livinthebeachlife was parked out in eighth.
The half was struck in 56 seconds with Livinthebeachlife edging forward on the outside to fifth while still not seeing any pylons.
Three-quarters went down in 1:24.2 as the pacesetting Rockabilly Rebel N fought off the first-over advance of Repeal Or Replace (Myles Heffernan Sr.) and Livinthebeachlife was up into contention tipping three-wide.
As the field turned for home, Livinthebeachlife was toe-to-toe with Rockabilly Rebel N as he surged past to victory in 1:53.4. No Plan Intended (Jason Hughes) closed for second with Rockabilly Rebel N finishing third.
Victor Puddy trains Livinthebeachlife for owners Christopher Boland, Limco Inc., and Gordon McDonald.
The program also featured the Lady Slipper Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies.
Redlandbethanyjean won her $17,200 Gold division in 1:57.4 in her return to her native P.E.I. Brodie MacPhee was in the bike for trainer Tom Weatherbie and owner Redland Farms of Bible Hill, N.S.
Woodmere Jade won another Gold division in 1:58.2 for driver Heffernan Sr., trainer Myles Heffernan Jr., and owner Jackie Heffernan.
Singing Ramona clicked in her $17,200 Gold assignment with a 1:57.4 win in line to James MacDonald for co-owner and trainer Jamie Smith and co-owner Hubert (Socke) MacDonald of Charlottetown.
The $8,600 Grassroots divisions for sophomore pacing fillies were won by Tobins Future (Jaycob Sweet) in 2:00.2, Georgia Thompson (Adam Merner) in 1:56.4 and Onlythegooddiyoung (Gilles Barrieau) with a 1:58.2 score.
Campbell teamed up with The Lady Sheriff to win race 12 in 1:58.2, marking the 1,000th training win of the 38-year-old Orwell horseman's career.
Live harness racing continues on Saturday with a doubleheader of 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. programs, featuring the $100,000 Atlantic Lottery Gold Cup & Saucer in the final race of the day.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)