Eliminations for the Barrieau McIsaac Memorial Stakes headline the Saturday, Aug. 23 card at Connell Park Raceway in Woodstock N.B.
New Brunswick has been the host of the prestigious race for three-year-old pacers since its inception and the eliminations have drawn horses from across the Maritimes. The eliminations will be contested as races four and seven on Saturday's eight-race program, which starts at 1 p.m. (ADT).
The 6-5 morning line favourite in the first of two $10,000 eliminations is the Landon Campbell-trained DJ Mustang from post four. Marc Campbell will drive the Betterthancheddar-Kellys Keepsake colt, who is owned by Brady Doyle of Stratford, P.E.I. and Dan Belliveau of Halifax, N.S. A New Brunswick Breeders Stakes winner in his last Woodstock start on Aug. 4, he has earned more than $20,000 this year and took his mark of 1:54 last month at Charlottetown Driving Park.
Like A King, a New Brunswick owned and bred colt for Kingston's Jennifer Ritchie, has the inside post with Paul Langille picking up the catch-drive on the Wayne Watson trainee. The son of Arthur Blue Chip out of Twin B Cuzisaidso has won already over the Woodstock oval in 1:55.4, taking his lifetime mark in a June 14 division of the N.B. Breeders Stakes.
Langille trains and drives the second elimination even-money favourite, Malevolent, who comes over the Confederation Bridge for good reason. The Malicious-Lady Kelleigh Anne gelding is coming off back-to-back stakes win at Charlottetown, including a career-best 1:52.3 triumph in the Atlantic Sires Stakes on Aug. 11. Malevolent, who is 13-for-18 lifetime, is owned by Nova Scotia's Debbie Francis of Sweets Corner and Rosanne Langille of Lower Onslow. He will start from post three.
One Wicked Man, who captured the 2024 Milton Downey Memorial Stakes at Connell Park, will have veteran teamster Kenny Arsenault with rail control in this elimination. A colt by McWicked out of Alexander Valley, the Arsenault trainee is owned by James Perrot of Stratford, P.E.I.
Nuttin But Finesse headlines the afternoon's $2,000 top overnight event as the James "Roach" MacGregor Gold Cup & Saucer Consolation winner goes to post in the final race of the day. Mike Downey will drive the seven-year-old son of Art Major-Nuttin But Trouble for Saint John, N.B. owner Dr. Mitchell Downey, who purchased the pacer earlier this month from the U.S. He captured the MacGregor Memorial in a razor sharp 1:52 flat. Nuttin But Finesse will have four other rivals in the race and is handicapped with post position five.
Wagering is available at teletheater locations in Saint John, Fredericton and Dieppe in New Brunswick and through the HPIbet platform or on site.
Horse Racing New Brunswick would like to thank all participants of Saturday's race card.
Contact Courtney McKay for race day win photos.
To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Woodstock Connell Park.
(With files from HRNB)