Atlantic Sires Stakes action was on display in a big way during Thursday evening’s 12-race card at the Charlottetown Driving Park, and trotters were the stars of the show.
Gettin Messi demolished the field he faced in the first of three divisions of the Lady Slipper for three-year-olds.
The son of Armbro Barrister-Hypnotic shot to the top from Post 3 for driver Mike McGuigan, and together they led the group through fractions of :31.2, 1:01.1 and 1:31.1 before using a :30-second closing quarter to win by 21 lengths over Dreamboat Annie in 2:01.1. Oceanview Hal was third.
It was the third straight score for the Leonard McGuigan trainee, who now boasts an 8-1-0 record from 11 trips to the track this season. The nine-time winner, who upped his lifetime earnings to $26,369 with the win, is owned by James Whalen, Jr. of Vernon Bridge, PE.
Mile Hill Willie was a popular winner in the $8,000 second division of the Lady Slipper for the tandem of driver Gilles Barrieau and trainer/owner Paul Morrison.
The colt sat third through the first half before brushing to the front in the backstretch. Camco Bailey was on the hook for first-half panels of :30.1 and :59.4, but Mile Hill Willie was in charge at the three-quarter pole in 1:30.4 before using a :30.4 closing quarter to win by 5-3/4 lengths over Richsnortherndream in 2:01.3. Whim Road Gem took home the show dough.
The son of Armbro Barrister-Pumpkin Doodles has manufactured a 3-1-4 record from nine trips to the track this season. The 10-time winner has banked in excess of $37,000 to date.
Ya Boy Bear captured the final division in 2:02.1 for trainer/driver Marc Campbell, and it was a popular score for the gelding who was sent off as the 1-5 favourite.
The son of Delcrest Julian-Diana Car carved out splits of :30.1, 1:00.2 and 1:32 before using a :30.1 final quarter to win by 7-1/4 lengths over Little Miss Winnie in 2:02.1. Ableway rounded out the top three finishers in the $8,000 affair.
Michael Bailey of Morell, PE owns the sophomore who won for the fourth time this season from 10 trips to the track. The five-time winner has more than $18,000 stashed away in career earnings.
Mack Truck turned a two-hole trip into a maiden-breaking triumph in the first of two $9,000 divisions of the Lady Slipper for two-year-olds.
The son of Credit Winner-Mad Over U Hanover led to the quarter pole in :31.2 before Westview Star trotted to the top. The new leader was pressed to the half in 1:03.3 by the first-over Go With Her, and they continued their battle to the three-quarter pole in 1:35.4. Mach Truck found clearance in the lane and used a :31.4 closing panel to win by 1-1/4 lengths over A Fishermans Son in 2:08. Rounding out the top three was Gottogitmesum.
Gilles Barrieau mapped out the perfect trip with the Randy Van Meer trainee, who was sent off as the 4-5 favourite. Donna Van Meer of Bowmanville, Ont. and Lynda Macswain of Stratford, PE share ownership on the lightly-raced youngster who has banked over $5,000 to date.
Mykindofparty was a front-stepping victor in the second division for driver Corey MacPherson and trainer Paul MacDonald.
The son of Tad The Stud-My Daisy Duke sliced out first-half fractions of :30.2 and 1:02 before Tequila Tuesday made a big rush on the outside. That foe showed a short lead over Mykindofparty at the three-quarter pole in 1:33.4, but Mykindofparty stepped home in :32.3 to win by a pair of lengths over race favourite Tequila Tuesday in 2:06.2. Incredible Hally took home third prize.
Jonathan MacDonald of North Wiltshire, PE owns the colt who hit the board for thee first time in his career from six tries. The youngster has banked close to $6,000 in his career.
On the undercard, it was Freddie stepping to a fourth consecutive victory in the $2,350 Open Handicap for trotters.
Walter Cheverie was parked every step of the mile from Post 7 with the Marc Campbell trainee, who just kept digging to the line. He used a :29-second final frame to rally for the half-length decision over race favourite Majian Tango in 2:03.1. Star Photo carved out panels of :30.2, 1:02.3 and 1:33.4 before fading to finish third.
The seven-year-old son of Majestic Son-Circe Hanover, who is owned by Three Wisemen Stable of Kingston, PE, now owns a 7-4-0 record from 14 starts this year. The 54-time winner is closing in on $150,000 in lifetime earnings.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Charlottetown Driving Park.