Thursday’s matinee program at the Charlottetown Driving Park was dedicated to freshmen pacing fillies, as the half-mile oval hosted six divisions of Atlantic Sires Stakes
action.
The first of three $9,200 “A” divisions went to Meridian Magic, who rolled to a career-best clocking of 1:59.1 for trainer/driver Kenny Arsenault. The daughter of Largo-Hot Asset laid down fractions of :29.3, 1:00.3 and 1:30.4 before sprinting home in :28.2 to secure the win. It was more than eight lengths back to runner-up Scootingforsuccess. Putnams Dough Girl grabbed the show dough.
Breeder Barry Martin co-owns the filly with James Gillis of Sydney, NS. The victory improved her record to 2-1-2 in five tries, and it bumped her bankroll to $10,862.
A perfect pocket trip helped Charlottes Coast earn a new speed badge in the second split. The daughter of Coastocoast Yankee-Charlottes Xena sat on a helmet for most of the mile before popping off the rail and using a :29.2 final frame to post the 1:59.3 decision for trainer/driver Darren Crowe. J J Solara, who set most of the pace, was just a half-length back in second. C H Yocoohno tagged along to finish third.
Sent off as a 6-1 outsider, the filly improved her rookie record to 3-2-0 in six attempts for the partnership of Dan Belliveau and Justin French of Halifax, NS. The lion’s share of the purse lifted her earnings to $19,869.
The win streak is now two-in-a-row and counting for We B Success, who also earned a new lifetime mark thanks to her 2:01.1 score in the third division. Trainer/driver Clare MacDonald used come-from-behind tactics to win with by three lengths with the daughter of Western Success-Winsdun Athena. Bettim Laura set the pace and held on for second, while Hey Jean rallied to finish third.
The home filly, who is owned by Riley Farms Ltd and Earith Riley of Summerside, PE, now boasts a 2-2-1 record in five lifetime starts. She has banked $7,337 to date.
Three $2,500 “B” divisions for the freshmen filly pacers went to Comeback Charley (2:03), Woodmere Rose (2:02.4) and Jenae Bluefin (2:05.2).
Canada's fastest woman, Connie Kolthammer, made a guest appearance on the Thursday afternoon at the Charlottetown Driving Park, and she was victorious in her CDP debut.
Kolthammer worked out a pocket trip for Bill Andrews' trotter, Players Champion, and the betting favourite had no problem getting the job done in the third race.
Kolthammer, who is vacationing, will be on hand to watch her first Gold
Cup and Saucer. She will team up with Paint Me Perfect, who has drawn the rail in Friday evening’s first race.
To view Thursday afternoon’s harness racing results, click here.