A pre-race thunderstorm couldn’t dampen the action Saturday at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino. The track crew worked on the legendary CDP oval while first race post time was delayed until 6:15 p.m. They had it ready to roll when the action resumed as the 12-dash program featured two divisions of leg one of the Spud Island Classic, presented by the PEI Potato Board.
Dirt Track Momma, under the command of Island’s leading driver Marc Campbell, won her fourth in a row capturing the first division in 1:56 flat for owner-trainer Jonah Moase of Cornwall, P.E.I.
Leaving from post three, Campbell released Mach Raiser and driver Mike Stevenson down the backstretch as they raced to the opening quarter in :27.3, but then came back out to power to the front and breeze through fractions of :57.2 and 1:27 to give the mare her 12th victory of the season. Private Joke was second for Gary Chappell while Brodys Leona and Corey MacPherson rallied late to complete triactor.
J K Special, owned by Joe Smallwood of Stratford, P.E.I., made her move up the passing lane to take the second division of the Spud Island Classic in 1:57.1. Walter Cheverie engineered the winning trip drafting behind pacesetter Block Party until the head of lane before out-sprinting Bunny Mach (Jason Hughes) and Doober Hoozzitz (Terry Gallant) for the win.
In other action, Caliban Hanover, with Ron Gass in the bike, defeated the Open trotters in gate-to-wire fashion. The Wendell MacDonald-owned trotter turned back Abundaspin (Harold Shepherd) and Honymoonisover (Brian Andrew) in a 2:00.3 mile.
Gilles Barrieau had a four-win performance on the program while Walter Cheverie and trainers Blaine McKenna and Ron Gass recorded two winners.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.
(Red Shores)