Tobins Brownie went all the way to victory over two opponents in the $16,000 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Graduate Series Gold Final, presented by JD Marine & Diving Inc., on Thursday, Aug. 28 at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Tobins Brownie ($6.10) and trainer-driver Adam Merner controlled every step from the rail through splits of :28.4, :58, and 1:27, and she held off Rosetown Mary (Corey MacPherson) by three-quarters of a length to win in 1:55.1. Galway Girl (Marc Campbell) completed the three-horse order of finish.
Owned by Brittany Watts and Sandra Weeks of Springvale, P.E.I., the winning daughter of Stonebridge Terror-Putnam Mackenzie tallied her 40th career victory in 131 starts and boosted her earnings to $233,080. Tobins Brownie is three-for-13 this year.
The $10,400 Graduate Series Grassroots Final went to Windemere Saddy ($3.40) as MacPherson guided the Saul Lanigan trainee to a powerful 1:55.4 score. The four-year-old daughter of Malicious-Hart Of Windemere was 2-1/4 lengths the best over Freaky Fanny (Darren Crowe), who was followed by Magnificent Mia (Gilles Barrieau). The winner is owned by Lanigan, Shane Esson, Darcy Doyle, and Isaac Schurman.
Princess Halo ($13.10) and Ken Murphy dictated the tempo and fended off all challengers in 1:57.3 to win the $6,000 Graduate Series Grassroots Consolation. The Garth Cole trainee prevailed by 2-1/2 lengths over Saulsbrook Annie (David Dowling), with Stonebeachlily (Colin Sheppard) in third. Cole co-owns the five-year-old Hilarious Halo-Promise Me Hanover mare with Alfred Baglole.
Favoured Buckhead Ridge ($2.50) regained the upper hand on Fight Song (Jason Hughes) after last week's defeat, winning the $6,500 Island Oceans Trot Challenge second leg by a length over that rival in 1:56.4. Rocket Blast (MacPherson) was third. Marc Campbell piloted the winner, a five-year-old son of Nuncio-Tuonela, for owner Brady Doyle and trainer Landon Campbell.
Watch Me Shake It ($3.70) won the Workers Compensation Board of P.E.I. Pace in 1:58 for trainer-driver Kenny Arsenault.
Marc Campbell guided Tells Bells ($3.90) to an open-length score in Race 10 to give young owner Isaac McGuigan his first career win. McGuigan, whose father Mike handled the training duties, owns the 1:56 winner in partnership with Tim Dickieson.
Trainers Jennifer Doyle, Kevin MacLean, and Landon Campbell all notched doubles on the 14-dash card. Gilles Barrieau was a four-time visitor to the winner’s circle as a driver.
Live racing continues on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Red Shores Charlottetown.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(With files from Red Shores)