The opening leg of the Spud Island Classic, presented by the P.E.I. Potato Board, was featured on Saturday at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Ultimate Faith, under the command of National Driving Championship finalist Ryan Ellis, converted a pocket ride to victory from post five. The time of the mile was 1:58 flat. The mare picked up her sixth win of the season for owner Abel Arsenault of Saint John, N.B. and trainer Philip Desroches. JK Special was a quarter-length behind in second with There Paid For rallying in deep stretch to grab the show spot.
Newcomer Russian Kisses was impressive in her Charlottetown debut, scoring a dominate victory in 1:55 flat for driver Steven Shepherd in the second division of the Spud. Steven’s father Harold takes over the training duties on the daughter of Badlands Hanover. She is owned by Steven's brother Robert and partners Joseph Travis and Forrest Bartlett. For All We Know was nine-and half lengths back for second with Icandothat third.
Charlottetown’s leading pilot, Jason Hughes, engineered the winning trip for Stayoutofmyaffair in the third division for owner Robi Hughes of Stratford, P.E.I. The time of the mile was 1:55.1. The mare crushed her competition with a :28.3 closer for her fifth win from 15 starts. General Luckypercy was second, 11-1/2 lengths behind, with Dreaming completing the triactor. The 7-3-5 combination paid $128.
Hughes had a driving double on the card after Motor Shark dazzled in the fourth race with a 10-length romp in 1:56.3. Tommy Collins and Arthur Jay of Mount Stewart, P.E.I. own the three-year-old Cams Card Shark gelding.
The trot feature went to Tymal Tyme in gate-to-wire fashion for driver Brian MacPhee in 2:02.2. The Gold Cup ambassadors greeted MacPhee in the winner’s circle and sang happy birthday to the popular driver from Cornwall, P.E.I. Tymal Tyme is owned by Tessa MacKinnon of Souris, P.E.I. and trained by Cindy MacDonald.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)